Frank A. Emrick

In June, 2004, my wife, Donna, and I picked out our grave headstone.  This prompted Donna to ask if I would write my obituary.  Seemed like a good idea so I did! Before this is published though, two things…ONE, make sure I’m dead and TWO, make sure I’m dead. Can’t be too careful.

Emrick, Frank A. Died August 16, 2023.  Born February 2, 1930, the second of six children, to Francis A. and Sarah F. (Davis) Emrick in Peoria, Illinois.

My objective was to live until I finished all my projects.  Apparently, this didn’t happen.  I am truly thankful for lasting this long and certainly appreciate any additional time allotted to me.  At 46, I survived a heart attack and realized how full a life I had until then.  A loving wife, Donna Marie DeBroux (we were married July 3, 1954) and three children, Scott, Mark and Nancy, and an occupation as an artist that I didn’t mind getting up in the morning to pursue.  That included graphic art, advertising, and after retirement in 1992, the pursuit of almost fine art.  Life has been good, and I’ve had much more than my share of blessings. 

Much to my regret, Donna was granted her wish to die before me on March 27, 2012.  That event emphasized the importance of family.  Much of our happiness had been provided by our children, their spouses and grandchildren: Scott and Ramona (Reynolds) Emrick and their sons Andrew, Michael and Nathaniel (Aubrey Quarford); Mark and Julie (Svetnicka) Emrick and their daughter Rachel (Steve) Lor and son Sam; and Nancy and Gary Ziegler and Nancy’s daughter Amanda (Nik) Krueger and Braxton Schroeder, our first great grandson, and Joplin Krueger, our first great granddaughter.  I should also mention my siblings who passed before me; older brother Stephen, younger brother Howard and younger sisters, Mary McDaniel, Phyllis Nash, and Doris Hays. There are, of course, their spouses, innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins, living and passed on.  They all know who they are and in the interest of brevity, I’m sure, won’t mind not being listed. Hey, it’s my obituary.  Besides, last time I checked there were 907 relatives, past and present, in my Reunion program files.

My funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 3009 N. Meade Street, Appleton with Rev. Kemp Jones and Rev. Dennis Ellisen officiating.  Family and friends can come to visit the church starting at 9:00 am until my service starts.  I will be laid to rest next to my beloved wife in the West Danish Cemetery near Denmark. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church are appreciated.

My family offers a special thank you to the staff at Touchmark for providing me with wonderful care and a loving home.