Frank Shernak

Frank J. Shernak passed away in Akron, on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008 at the age of 83. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Akron. Interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery in Sterling. Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church or Hospice of the Plains.

He was born to John and Sadie (Simmons) Shernak on Jan. 13, 1925, in Dalles, Ore. The family moved to Peoria, Illinois when Frank was 7 years of age. He graduated from a Catholic school in Peoria after the 8th grade.

He then went to work for Caterpillar Inc. as a mail delivery boy and then later as a foundry worker. He also worked as a bellhop and a janitor at the Jefferson Hotel in Peoria until he was drafted at the age of 18 into the United States Army.

Frank served with distinction as a member of Co. F of the 29th Infantry Division. On June 6, 1944, Frank was part of the D-day invasion of Northern France at Omaha Beach in Normandy. Frank was severely wounded in Leige, Belgium attacking a Pillbox and was hospitalized for a year at the Dwight Veterans Hospital in Illinois. Frank was honorably discharged from the army in 1946, after which he returned to Caterpillar here he worked for 31 years.

He met and married Margaret Hedges after which they moved to Sterling. After Margaret died, Frank married Esther Nestor in 1989. After Esther died, Frank then met and married Muriel Forbes on Nov. 7, 1998.

Frank thoroughly enjoyed being a grandfather. He loved to travel, watch TV and spend time with his family. He was a generous, considerate and winsome person. Frank trusted Christ as his Savior late in life and was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Akron.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sadie; several siblings; his first wife, Margaret; his second wife, Esther; and his granddaughter, Melissa.

He is survived by his wife, Muriel; his step-daughters and their husbands, Alice Forbes and Marlin McCracken; Maloria Forbes and Don McAteer; Danelle Forbes and David Denney; his step-son, Orin Forbes and wife Delva ; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Brenner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.