Frank A. Eames

1929 - 2026

Elkhorn, WI - Frank A. Eames, 96, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Holton Manor. He was born August 30, 1929, in Elkhorn, the son of Claude (Mud) and Alene (Desing) Eames. He was educated in the Elkhorn school system, graduating in the EHS Class of 1947, and then graduated from Beloit College in the Class of 1951.

Frank served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1952-56. He was married in 1964 in Elmwood Park, IL to Patricia Fox.

Frank grew up in the back shop of the Elkhorn Independent and began full-time employment there in 1951 upon his graduation from college. He served as advertising manager and sports editor before becoming editor and publisher in 1960. He sold the Independent in 1987 but kept the commercial printing part of the business which he continued to operate until 2016. Under his direction and that of his father before him, the Independent was consistently rated one of the top weekly newspapers in Wisconsin, winning the cherished General Excellence competition in 1972 and 1978.

In 1962 the Independent, along with seven other Walworth and Racine County newspapers, formed Southern Lakes Publishers, Inc., a cooperative printing facility owned by the publishers that was the first of its kind in the country. Shortly thereafter, the same publishers combined their commercial printing operations into Central Printing, Inc., of Delavan, again a pioneer cooperative operation.

Frank was a member of a number of organizations including St. John's Lutheran Church, the Elkhorn Kiwanis Club, Elkhorn American Legion and VFW posts, Elkhorn Masonic Lodge and

Madison Consistory. He was a member and past director of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, a past director of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and a director of the Walworth County Historical Society. He was instrumental in the formation of the Elkhorn Area Ambulance Service and served as its treasurer for most of his 22 years of service. He received community service awards from the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, 4-H Clubs and Future Farmers of America.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, a son, Bradley Eames, two daughters Sandra (Brian)

Bleser and Lisa (Glenn) Terry, two grandchildren, Allen (Emily) Terry and Caroline Terry, one great-granddaughter, Lucy Terry, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his parents, and his sister, Donna (Birdell) Brellenthin.

Memorial Service will be 11:00AM on Friday, January 30, 2026, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 104 S. Broad St. Elkhorn, WI. Visitation will be from 10:00AM until service time Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frank's name may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church. Online guest book available at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.