Arnold Franke
Prairietown |
Arnold F. Franke, age 94, passed away at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Delmar Gardens on the Green, in Chesterfield, MO.
He was born in Worden, IL, son of the late William & Katie (Knoche) Franke
He married Marie (Braasch) on May 1, 1943 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Prairietown. She survives.
Arnold was employed at Olin Corp for 40 years retiring in 1978. He served in the United States Army in the 87th Recon, 7th Armored Division, were he was a POW during the European Theater Operation, being captured at the Battle of the Bulge on December 22, 1944. He received a Purple Heart for his honorable time in the military. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, the Staunton VFW Post 1299, where he served at many military parades and funerals and the EX POW's. He donated a lot of his time going to schools speaking on his experiences as a POW. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Prairietown, where he served as an elder, evangelized and sang in the choir. He served on the school board, was a bowler until age 89, a township trustee and worked as a farmer. He enjoyed his family, friends and loved to spend time with his grand and great-grandchildren. He most of all enjoyed being with his wife of 66 years, spending 18 of those as a snowbird in Rio Grand Valley in Texas.
He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Joan Kathleen & Willis Crowe of Bethalto; one son and daughter-in-law, Gary & Patsy Franke of Moro; five grandchildren and their spouses, Jill Crowe-Lembeck, Rebecca & Tim Philipps, Dana & Mike Shain, Jason Crowe and Tricia Franke; two step grandchildren, Patrick and Matthew & Susan Henke; three great grandchildren, Carson and Delaney Philipps and Shelby Lembeck; three step great-grandchildren, Zachary, Hannah and Harrison Henke; several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Preceded in death by his patents; one brother, Leroy Franke and one sister and brother-in-law, Milda & Oliver Robertson.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Prairietown with Pastor Dale Skeesick officiating.
Burial will follow at Prairietown Cemetery with full military rites by the Staunton VFW Post 1299.
Memorials may be made to the St. Peter's Lutheran Memorial Fund and or Alzheimer's Research.
Online condolences and guestbook can be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
He was born in Worden, IL, son of the late William & Katie (Knoche) Franke
He married Marie (Braasch) on May 1, 1943 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Prairietown. She survives.
Arnold was employed at Olin Corp for 40 years retiring in 1978. He served in the United States Army in the 87th Recon, 7th Armored Division, were he was a POW during the European Theater Operation, being captured at the Battle of the Bulge on December 22, 1944. He received a Purple Heart for his honorable time in the military. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, the Staunton VFW Post 1299, where he served at many military parades and funerals and the EX POW's. He donated a lot of his time going to schools speaking on his experiences as a POW. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Prairietown, where he served as an elder, evangelized and sang in the choir. He served on the school board, was a bowler until age 89, a township trustee and worked as a farmer. He enjoyed his family, friends and loved to spend time with his grand and great-grandchildren. He most of all enjoyed being with his wife of 66 years, spending 18 of those as a snowbird in Rio Grand Valley in Texas.
He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Joan Kathleen & Willis Crowe of Bethalto; one son and daughter-in-law, Gary & Patsy Franke of Moro; five grandchildren and their spouses, Jill Crowe-Lembeck, Rebecca & Tim Philipps, Dana & Mike Shain, Jason Crowe and Tricia Franke; two step grandchildren, Patrick and Matthew & Susan Henke; three great grandchildren, Carson and Delaney Philipps and Shelby Lembeck; three step great-grandchildren, Zachary, Hannah and Harrison Henke; several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Preceded in death by his patents; one brother, Leroy Franke and one sister and brother-in-law, Milda & Oliver Robertson.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Prairietown with Pastor Dale Skeesick officiating.
Burial will follow at Prairietown Cemetery with full military rites by the Staunton VFW Post 1299.
Memorials may be made to the St. Peter's Lutheran Memorial Fund and or Alzheimer's Research.
Online condolences and guestbook can be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
