Franklin P. Dalpra

Franklin P. "Bunzo" Dalpra, 91, of Kingsford passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Marshfield Medical Center - Dickinson in Iron Mountain.
Frank was born on July 2, 1933, to Paul Louis and Kathryn Ann (Simeoni) Dalpra. He graduated from Crystal Falls High School with the class of 1951. In September of 1951, during the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served four years active duty in the COMSERVLANT Fleet Supply Office and aboard the light cruiser U.S.S. Northampton (CLC-1). After four years of inactive duty, he was honorably discharged in September of 1959. He was exceptionally proud of his service to his country.
Following his active military service, he attended Northern Michigan University, graduating in 1960 with a degree in business administration. He then worked for the Internal Revenue Service until 1963, after which he became a staff accountant of Fleury and Singler, CPA's in Iron Mountain. He returned to Northern in 1970 to earn a degree in business education and was hired by the Forest Park School District. He subsequently earned his master's degree in business education in 1973 and retired from teaching in 1989. Also, in 1970, a hobby was turned into a bicycle repair and sales business, which he operated until 1992.
During retirement his primary pastime was the game of golf. Admittedly not a good golfer, he was still proud of some of his accomplishments: namely, eagles on #17 at Pine Grove and #1 in Crystal Falls; a hole-in-one at Pine Grove, and the fact that he shot his age several times.
He was married to his wife Frankie Mae (Dallafior) on December 27, 1966, and she survives him. He is also survived by sister-in-law Beverley (Lang) Dallafior and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Pauline Marie Bender, Patricia Jean Dalpra, and infant sister, Geraldine; a half-brother, John Dalpra; brothers-in-law, Frederick "Fritz" Bender, Arwood Dallafior, Frank Dallafior, and "Jack" Bloemker; sisters-in-law, June Dallafior, Lorraine (Dallafior) Leino, Frances (Dallafior) Bloemker, and Marion (Dallafior) Larson; and nephews, John Bender and Donald Larson.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Evergreen Cemetery in Crystal Falls. The East Side Veterans will conduct military honors.
Condolences to the family of Franklin "Bunzo" Dalpra may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net.
The family has trusted the Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.