Francis “Frank” Carroll Malone of Hopkins died in Grand Rapids Friday, Oct. 19. He was 84.
Frank was born to his late parents, Francis Raymond Malone and Frances Caroline (Pease) Holmes on March 13, 1940, in Watson. He and his wife Ruth (Eyer) Malone shared 54 years of marriage together.
He was an avid motorsports fan and was able to meet a lot of people and stay in the motorcoach lots since Daytona early ’90s. He also enjoyed going to the ASA short track races all across the country and the Snowball Derby. He would also go on RV trips with Ruth all over the United States.
Frank had a wide range of work experience, starting in the military serving in the Air Force for four years as an instrumental flight line mechanic. He was a rural mail carrier in Hopkins, a volunteer at the Hopkins Fire Department, owned Hopkins LP Gas Station, was an airplane mechanic for Mayday Avionics in Grand Rapids, and had a small car lot in Hopkins.
Frank enjoyed sitting at the Big Brick house on South Clark Street, Hopkins, watching all the parades and school kids. He was a great teacher and loved being a father to JP and raising him to live out his dream in motorsports, from R/C car racing to NASCAR Cup Series.
Frank is survived by his wife Ruth (Eyer) Malone; son JP Malone, daughter Shannon Bouwens; sisters and brothers in law Joyce Malone Sandy Malone, Maryellen (Eyer) and Kenneth Haraburda.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Donald Malone, Kenneth Malone, Patricia (Duane) Dykes, Richard (Mary) Malone, and Donna (Donald) Wenger; and mother-in-law Marvell (Wheelock) Eyer.
Frank’s funeral will be at noon Thursday, Oct. 24, with an hour’s visitation beforehand at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel. Interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial donations may be made in Frank’s name to the Wayland VA Post #7581, 735 South Main St., Wayland.
