Frank Jay Wernet

Frank Jay Wernet

Frank Jay Wernet of Howard, PA, passed away at the age of 80 at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, on July 25, 2025. He was the husband of Joanne Brong Wernet, also of Howard. Frank and Joanne celebrated 60 years of marriage in April of 2025.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin and Anita. His parents met while his father was serving in WWII and stationed in England. Frank was born July 5, 1945, and emigrated to the U.S. with his mother at the age of eight months. The young family settled in Effort, PA, where Frank would grow up and start a family of his own.

Frank thought service to his community was important. During his lifetime, he served as a member and officer of the local Jaycee chapter. He also was elected to the Pleasant Valley Board of Education, even serving as president. He also represented Pleasant Valley on the Board of the Monroe County Area Vocational-Technical School. Frank further served his community as a member of the Chestnuthill Township Zoning Hearing Board.

Frank was employed for 24 years as an industrial welder at the Patterson-Kelly Corporation in East Stroudsburg, PA. Frank took great pride in his accomplishments as a welder, viewing a good weld as something akin to art.

This pride in his work would lead Frank to start an independent welding business and he became the owner-operator of Hillcrest Welding. His attention to detail, work ethic, and work results led to recommendations and repeat customers.

Frank began his second career as a welding instructor at Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) in Bartonsville, PA. He would spend the next 24 years educating and mentoring students until his retirement in 2012. Frank was very proud to be an educator and would often maintain contact with students after graduation. He was a member of the American Welding Society (AWS). Additionally, during his time as a teacher, he represented his colleagues by serving in several positions, including as president, within the local teachers union (PSEA).

Retirement would bring Frank and Joanne from the Poconos to the State College area to be closer to their younger grandchildren. Frank was intensely proud of his children and grandchildren. He was an avid supporter of their activities and attended a variety of their sporting, dance and academic events over the years. Several years ago two cross-country road trips were made with three generations, and Frank would often reminisce about the sights and experiences from those two trips.

Watching Penn State sports, but especially attending football games, was a favorite pastime of Frank's. He also was a fan of the Philadelphia sports teams.

If asked, Frank would say he had a "life well-lived."

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Wernet, of Howard, PA, and two daughters, Tammy van Dongen (Henk) of Monroe, GA, and Amanda Campbell (Larry) of State College, PA.

His grandchildren are Henk van Dongen, of Suwanee, GA, Adrianna McCown (Corey), of Lawrenceville, GA, Pieter and Natalie van Dongen, both of Monroe, GA, and Samantha, Jessica and Derrick Campbell, all of State College, PA. Frank had one great-grandchild, Isla McCown, of Lawrenceville, GA.

Frank is also survived by a sister, Linda Griggs (Dale) of Kilmarnock, VA; a brother, John Wernet (Sharan) of Kunkletown, PA; and a brother-in-law, Donald Brong (Kathy) of Effort, PA. He also has several nieces and nephews surviving him.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.