Peter William Frank's Obituary
Peter William Frank, of Decatur, IL, has completed his life journey as he fell asleep in the waiting and loving arms of our Lord at 12:20 A.M. on Monday, July 25, 2022, at Decatur Memorial Hospital after a very brief medical condition. Peter’s son, daughter, and niece were at his bedside and his grandsons beside him via phones.
Services to celebrate Peter’s life will be Friday, August 12, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Decatur, IL with Father David Eynon, Father Nick Greanias and Father George Pyle officiating. Burial will be in Graceland/Fairlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with the Trisagion Service at 7:00 P.M. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox of Decatur, IL, the Macon County Honor Guard of Decatur, IL or contributor’s choice of an Animal Adoption Agency or Humane Society. Online condolences, memories and contributions can be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Peter was born June 21, 1925, in Decatur, IL, the son of William P. and Persephone J. (Leoucis) Frank. Dubbed the “Greatest Generation,” by Tom Brokaw, Peter was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1943, just prior to his graduation from then, Decatur High School. After completing Basic Training at the Navy’s Bootcamp, located in Farragut, ID, and Electronic Technician School in Chicago, IL., Peter reported for duty as Radioman aboard the USS ROCKY MOUNT, AGC3. He served his entire three-year enlistment in the Navy aboard the USS ROCKY MOUNT which participated in extensive Naval bombing action in the South Pacific during WWII. While serving there, he participated in several Naval Combat actions over the Marshall Islands, the Marianas Islands, Tinian, and Leyte. Following the conclusion of WWII, ROCKY MOUNT was designated as the Flagship for the Commander 7th Fleet and Peter participated with the ship in patrol actions up and down the Yangtze River in China. Having attained the rank of Radioman Second Class, he had earned enough merits to qualify for an honorable discharge from the Navy which he received in 1946. Carrying on the tradition, Peter’s son, William Peter Frank also entered the Naval Service and retired as a Captain in 2006. His grandson, William Peter Frank, III continues to serve in the Navy as a Commander and his other grandson Lieutenant Patrick Duane Frank also served in the Navy as a Surface Warfare officer and a Naval Aviator.
Following his discharge, Peter returned to the University of Chicago, pursuing Refrigeration Training. Under the GI bill, he subsequently enrolled in studies at Millikin University. By 1951, Peter, along with his brother Jerry, took over the family business started by their father. Peter became co-owner/operator of East Side Locker Service (later known as East Side Star Market) in Decatur, retiring his half of the business in the mid-90’s. He then worked at Kroger in Mt. Zion until he earned a secondary retirement.
In 1961, Peter ran for the city council and served on the Macon County Board of Health in the 1960’s. He was also a long-time member of the Decatur Municipal Band.
Peter was also a man of great Christian Orthodox faith. He embraced his Greek heritage and his Greek Church with fervor and passion serving as a Church Board member many times and in later years as the Chanter at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church as well as Saint Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church in Springfield, IL.
Peter was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He has left a rich legacy of unconditional love, moral and religious values, Greek ethnic pride, and family unity for all of us to pass on. Peter never knew a stranger. He made many long-lasting friendships over the years with people of all ages and all walks of life. He was truly loved by many and was most often acknowledged as a great mentor. His presence left an impact on the hearts of many, and his passing is such a great loss.
On November 18, 1951, Peter married the love of his life, Helen Bastas. Together they raised two children, enjoyed their four grandsons and six great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Persephone Frank, his brother, Jerome Frank, and his beloved wife Helen Bastas Frank. He is survived by his son, William P. (Nanette) Frank of Decatur, IL., his daughter, Annette E.F. (Robert) Phillips of Decatur, IL, his grandsons, William P. (Laura) Frank, III, and Patrick D. (Mary Cor) Frank, both of California, Christopher L. (Catherine) Nolte, of Chicago, IL., and Nicholas P. Nolte, of Moline, IL, his six great grandchildren, Noah, Morgan, and Peyton Frank of California, Genevieve Nolte, Chicago, and Ren and Elliott Nolte, of Moline, his loving niece, Penny C. (Jerry) Frank Rogers, Decatur, loving nephew, Bill (Juliette) Frank of Wisconsin, former son-in-law David A. (Claudia) Nolte, Decatur, special cousins, Vickie Patrimanis, Moline, Moscha Costianis, Chicago, Homer (Nancy) Leoucis of Decatur, God-brother, Nick Carperos of Joliet, IL., loving Godson, Nick (Jeannie) Xamis of Springfield, IL. special friend James Henderson of Decatur, special care giver Rose Boehm and finally, his beloved “four-legged Sweetheart,” Cocoa.
The family would like to extend our sincerest and most heartfelt appreciation to Elara Caring nurses and therapists: Tiffany, Lynn, Angela and Amanda as well as Lori Thornell of Always Caring and their staff members who assisted in caregiving. The love, help and support you extended to Peter was above and beyond exemplary.
We would also like to thank the men and women of the Macon County Honor Guard for extending themselves to our father during the years he served, and beyond. Thank you to Fr. David Eynon for your pastoral love and care and a special thank you to Rev. Dr. Aloysius Ndeanaefo of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Villa Grove, IL for the many years you held Peter as a loyal friend.
Lastly, my Dear Father, my rock, my hero: I honor you with love and gratitude for who I am today. You will forever be in my heart and soul, until I see you again. Your loving daughter, Annette.
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