Franklin Dwane Mitchell

Franklin Dwane Mitchell 66, Roca, passed away peacefully at home on Monday (08/17/09) after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born February 8, 1943 in Parnell, Mo. to B. Dwane and L. Jaunita (Dannar) Mitchell. He graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1961, then attended and graduated from S.C.C. at Milford in 1964. In 1965, he joined the Nebraska Air National Guard and served for ten years. Frank started his own construction company, F.D. Mitchell Construction Co., and did construction for 20+ years. On June 14, 1975 he married Karen Keslar. For the next 25 years, he farmed, raised registered Angus cattle, had a custom haying business with son Eric, and drove a grain semi-truck for his son. Frank presently was a director on the Lancaster County Agriculture Society. He had served on the Lancaster County Water District Board. He was a member of the Lancaster County Farm Bureau and currently serving on the board, Nebraska Angus Association, former member Homebuilders Association. Frank was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church at Cheney, where he serviced on the parish council and was an usher. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Frank thoroughly enjoyed his family and loved being with them. He was always ready for a card game or a game of dominoes. He loved spending time with his granddaughters and his dog, Samantha. The last few years he and Karen had started bird watching and especially loved the martins.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen, Roca; son, Eric, Lincoln; daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Mike Spilker, DeWitt; granddaughters, Haley and Breanna Spilker, Dewitt; brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Holly Mitchell, Lincoln; mother-in-law, Mary Keslar, Stapleton; brothers-in-law, spouses, Roger and Joyce Keslar, Erie, Colo.; Larry Keslar, Beatrice; Pat and Carmen Keslar, Hyannis; Phillip Keslar and fiance Bridget Buris, Baytown, Texas; Tom and Jean Keslar, Syracuse; Greg and Mary Keslar, Grand Island; many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Byron Keslar.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Friday, St. Michael's Catholic Church, 9230 1st Street, Cheney. Celebrant, Father Kenneth Borowiak. Interment, Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. Rosary: 7 p.m., Thursday, Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln. Visitation: 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home; one hour before services at the church. Memorials to Lancaster County Agricultural Society. Condolences may be left at lincolnfh.com