Donald E. Frakes

Donald E. Frakes, 83, of Benton Harbor went to meet his Lord & Savior on Monday, January 21, 2002 at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday at Grace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph with Rev. Glenn Rosenbaum officiating. Friends may call from 5-7 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church. Mr. Frakes was born on September 21, 1918 in Benton Harbor to Otto & Alma (Claussen) Frakes. He served his country during WWII in the United States Army. Don participated in the Battle of the Bulge under the command of General George Patten and served in the European Theater. On November 30, 1946 he married the former Dorothy Bedunah in Michigan City, IN. Don was employed by the City of Benton Harbor from which he retired in 1981 after 32 years of service. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, a life member of VFW Post #1137-Benton Harbor, he played for the former Tornado Football Team & the Superior Steel Softball Team. Don was a Lightweight Golden Glove Boxing Champ at the Benton Harbor Armory and an avid sportsman-his favorite being hunting & fishing. Don is survived by his wife Dorothy; two daughters-Janet Bridwell & her Fiancee Jerry Forker, Jr. of Benton Harbor, Stacy (Brad) Marosites of Buchanan; two grandchildren-Scott Bridwell & Marcy Cox; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers-George, Harold, & Robert Frakes, and his sister Mildred Boettcher.