Robert F. "Frank" Barminski

Robert F. "Frank" Barminski, 80, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in Fort Worth. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 509 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth. He will be interred in Benton, Ill., at a later date. Memorials: The family requests memorials be made to a favorite charity. Mr. Barminski was born in Benton, Ill., to Anna Rybka and Frank Barminski on Dec. 23, 1932. Frank graduated from Benton Township High School and attended college in Chicago, Ill., where he studied accounting. Frank Barminski developed a great respect for the history of our country and the world. His maternal grandparents emigrated to this country from Poland at the turn of the 20th century. His grandfather served in the Prussian army and came to America to follow the dream of freedom and the promise of a better life. His paternal grandparents and father arrived from Germany by boat at about the same time. They settled in Illinois where his grandfather had built their new home and worked in the coal mines. Both his father and grandfather were active in the Progressive Union movement of the 1930s. Frank enjoyed reading, history, science, archeology and current events. As a young man he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and camping. Throughout his life he retained an appreciation of the great outdoors. In 1954, Frank Barminski began his career with the Frigidaire Corp. in Chicago, Ill., and retired as the southwest region sales manager in 1996. His long career of 43 years with Frigidaire was one of dedicated service. Against all odds, he rose to the top in his field, provided for his family and developed many long lasting friendships. In this information age, he remained a paper guy to the end, known for his honesty, frugality, loyalty and perseverance. Frank was predeceased by his parents; wife, Jean Johnson Wheeler of Burleson; and sister, Betty Barminski Krug of Christopher, Ill. Survivors: His children, Michael Barminski and wife, Joan, of Ventura, Calif., Rachel Barminski Bounds of Fort Worth, Robert Barminski Jr. and wife, Caroline, of Hollister, Calif., Mary Barminski Johnson and husband, Brad, of Austin and Bill Barminski and wife, Melissa, of Los Angeles, Calif.; the mother of his children, Willa Gill McGovern Dunleavy; stepsons, David Wheeler and wife, Kay, of Fort Worth, Doug Wheeler and wife, Masna, of Fort Worth and Donald Wheeler of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren, Michael Bounds, Robert Barminski III, Alexandria Barminski, Michael Barminski, Elizabeth Barminski, Brennen Johnson, D.J. Wheeler, Kathryn Howell and husband, R.J., and D'Wayne Wheeler; brother, Jim Barminski and wife, Alice, of Vienna, Ill.; nieces, Antoinette "Sissy", Patty; and nephews, John, Dennis, David and Kenny Krug.