Gene L. Frank, 88, St. Marys, died at 12:05 p.m. March 14, 2011, at the Valley Nursing Home in St. Marys.

He was born July 24, 1922, in Montezuma, to Raymond and Dora Lacy Frank. On May 20, 1945, he married Waneta Schroer, who died Nov. 3, 2001.

Surviving are three children, Mike (Judy) Frank, St. Marys, Anita (Floyd) Melby, Holland, and Terrie (Russ) Burd, Xenia; seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Also deceased are two sisters, Freda Knapke and Dorothy Andrews.

He was a 1940 graduate of Celina High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Third Division, 21 Regiment during World War II and fought at Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Guam and Bouganville. He was the owner of St. Marys Appliance Center. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in St. Marys, where he taught Sunday school and was on the consistory of the church.

Funeral rites are 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. Ed Bray officiating. Burial with military honors is at Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.

Calling is 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Miller Funeral Home in St. Marys.

Memorials may be made to the church's Christ Endowment Fund.

Condolences may be left at Millerfuneralhomes.net.