Frank W. Lincoln

Frank W. Lincoln, 87, of Tuscola, Illinois, passed away Monday, October 19, 2026.

Frank was born November 17, 1938, in Tuscola, the son of Harold T. and Alliece Warren Lincoln. His life and career were deeply rooted in Tuscola and Douglas County, where he spent decades serving his community as an attorney, public official, judge and member of local organizations.

Frank attended Tuscola schools from first grade through graduation from Tuscola High School in 1957. During high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society and received the Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. He was later inducted into the Tuscola High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1961, and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1964.

Admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1964, Frank was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court and United States Tax Court. From 1964 to 1984, he practiced with the Tuscola law firm of Nichols, Jones, McCown & Lincoln. He served as Douglas County Assistant State’s Attorney from 1964 to 1968 and Douglas County State’s Attorney from 1968 to 1972. He was Tuscola City Attorney from 1973 to 1979 and served as a Tuscola alderman from 1980 to 1984.

In 1984, Frank was elected Douglas County Circuit Judge. Voters retained him for three additional terms, and he served on the bench for 22 years before retiring in 2006. He also shared his legal experience with students, serving as a judge for trial advocacy programs and seminars at the University of Illinois College of Law, national moot court competitions at Southern Illinois University School of Law, and Illinois and national high school mock trial competitions.

Frank’s service extended to many community institutions. He served as chairman of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Merit Commission and as a trustee of Tuscola Township Cemeteries. He was a member of the Tuscola Rotary Club and a former director of the Tuscola Public Library, First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Tuscola, First National Bank of Villa Grove, and the Robert C. Nunn Scout Building.

A longtime Mason, Frank was a Master Mason and a 60-year member of Tuscola Masonic Lodge No. 332. He was a 50-year member of Tuscola Royal Arch Chapter No. 66, Tuscola Melita Commandery No. 37 and the Tri-County Shrine Club. His other memberships included Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests, East Central York Rite College No. 81, and Scottish Rite, Valley of Danville. He held presiding offices in several Masonic organizations and served as Masonic District Deputy Grand Master of the 11th Eastern District. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of Union Veterans.

Frank is survived by his wife, Marlene B. Lincoln; four children: Elizabeth (Brent) Reed, Andrew Lincoln, Kathryn (Eric) Wood and Harold T. Lincoln II; and four grandchildren, Luke Reed, Jake Reed, Hazel Wood and Fiona Wood. Also surviving are his niece, Jean Waters, and nephews, Michael Waters, John Waters and Philip Waters.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Patti L. Waters.

An open house to greet the family will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home in Tuscola.

Memorial contributions may be made in Frank’s name to Special Olympics Illinois, Douglas County Museum or Tuscola Music Boosters.