Ronald Eugene Frank of Wayland and Lake Panasoffkee, Fla., died Wednesday, Feb. 16, at his home in Florida. He was 90 years old.
He was raised on the Frank family Centennial Farm. He tended to various animals, including his pet skunk. He worked on harvesting crops and maintaining the farm. He attended the Moline/Wayland Schools and graduated valedictorian in the Class of 1949.
He married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn R. Moore, in March of 1951 and entered the Marine Corps in October 1951 and later went to General Motors Plant 1 and 2 in Grand Rapids He worked for 33.3 years. While there, he went from basic machine operator to supervisor of jig and fixture department.
He and Evelyn owned many rental properties from 1965 to 2021. He was known to carry suckers with him for the tenants’ children.
Ron and Evelyn migrated to Florida, where they built a new house in 1995. His workshop was built in 2000. He named his workshop “Cooters” for all the “older gentlemen” who would meet for coffee and “BS.” He was extremely athletic – waterskiing, go-carts, boats, tractors, and anything he could do outside.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; daughters Deborah Thompson and Laurie Frank. He has six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, three step-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Arlah Frank, and two children: Kathryn and Michael Frank.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 4, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 321 Main St. Wayland. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday March 3, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Then and Now Genealogical Library, 1807 142nd, Dorr, MI 49323.
