Alvin Frank

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Alvin M. Frank, 84, of Chaffee died Wednesday, June 21, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 18, 1922, at Dutchtown, son of Henry Philip John and Manda Rosine Anna Springer Frank. He and Adella Catherine Kirchdoerfer were married Jan. 21, 1950.

Alvin lived in Cape Girardeau before moving to Chaffee in 1955. When he and Adella moved to Chaffee, there was no telephone at their home. Alvin and Adella were instrumental in having telephone poles and lines built and installed along Highway 77 and on County Road 250. He was also instrumental in getting the mail route changed so that mail was delivered on County Road 250. Until the change, their mail was delivered to boxes that were placed under a large tree at Highway 77. Forty-four years ago with the help of family, Alvin built and wired the entire family home.

He was a lifetime farmer who farmed Giboney Houck ground at Cape Girardeau for 63 years before he retired. He attended Campster School in Cape Girardeau.

He was a member and an usher of St. Ambrose Catholic Church at Chaffee, St. Ambrose Men's Club, and served on St. Ambrose Parish Council. He cooked chicken and dumplings at the parish dinners for 31 years. Alvin was also a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Father Marquette Council 11205 of Cape Girardeau, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Thomas A. Langen Assembly of Cape Girardeau, Notre Dame Booster Club, Cape County Farm Bureau, Friends of Saint Francis Medical Center, a volunteer electrician at SEMO District Fair in the 1950s, and served as a delegate for MFA Inc. District 14.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Joe David (Kay) Frank of Jackson, Michael (Debbie) Frank of Cape Girardeau, Alvin (Kim) Frank Jr. of Chaffee; two daughters, Mary Ann Hennecke of Cape Girardeau, Barbara (Roy) Beel of Jackson; a brother, Johnny Frank of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Josephine Schuessler and Hermina Westrich of Cape Girardeau; 10 grandchildren, Rev. Mr. William Hennecke Jr. of St. Louis, Jason (Natalie) Frank of Freeburg, Ill., Melanie (Greg) Peters of Bonnots Mill, Mo., Jaymie Kay (Chris) Castens of Alton, Ill., Olivia (Keith) Hancock of Florissant, Mo., Danielle Hennecke and Shelley Frank of Cape Girardeau, Emma and Robyn Beel of Jackson, Mo., and H.A. Timothy Frank of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Henry Frank; and two sisters, Clara Stoll and Marie Kirchdoerfer.

Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee after 4 p.m. today. Parish prayers will be at 7, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:15.

The Mass will be concelebrated by the Rev. Ralph Duffner, the Rev. Thomas Kiefer and Rev. Mr. William Hennecke Jr. at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chaffee. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Pallbearers are H.A. Timothy Frank, Jason Frank, Richard Ostendorf, Henry Martin Schuessler, George Kirchdoerfer, and his three godsons Eddie Kirchdoerfer, Robert James Jr., and James Frank.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Ambrose School and Notre Dame Regional High School.