Gilbert E. Frank

Age 87, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at the Appleton Medical Center, after a brave battle with cancer. Gil was born March 25, 1916 in Glidden, Wisconsin, son of the late Reinhold and Clara (Schaeffer) Frank, and grew up in Montello, Wisconsin. He received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in 1939 and his M.A. in Sociology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Gil served in the United States Navy during World War II, and survived the sinking of the aircraft carrier USS St. Lo. Gil was currently a member of the William Verhagen Post #60 of the American Legion in Kimberly. He came to Kimberly in 1951 and taught sociology and coached track and basketball for many years at Kimberly High School. He took two teams to the state tournament. Later he became the first athletic director at the Kimberly High School, and was runner-up for U.S. Athletic Director of the Year.

He is survived by his wife: Imogene Frank of Kimberly; two daughters: Mary Zane of Kennebunk, Maine and Peggy (Gary) Frankie of Guelph, Ontario; two grandchildren: Brian (Marni Pyke) Frankie of Chicago and Caitlin (John Whittle) Frankie of Toronto, Ontario. Gil is also survived by Imogene’s brothers: Kenneth Koehn and his wife of Pulaski and Clyde Koehn and his wife of LaGrange, Illinois, as well as by three sisters-in-law. Gil was preceded in death by his first wife Margaret (nee Laing) and a son Bob Frank.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 26, 2003 at MT. CALVARY EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 208 S. Pine Street in Kimberly with Rev. Virgil Hanson officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM Saturday at the Montello City Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 – 8 Friday at the funeral home and again Saturday at the church after 9:30. There will be a military memorial service at 7:00 PM Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorials be directed to the Gil Frank Scholarship Award at the Kimberly High School.

He will be missed and mourned by his wife and family, friends and neighbors, and the many students and athletes he taught and coached.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at the Martha Siekman Cancer Center at the Appleton Medical Center for their good care over the past two years.

Jansen Fargo Funeral Home
204 E. Kimberly Avenue
Kimberly, Wisconsin 54136
920-788-6202