Frank B. Straka

Mr. Frank B. Straka of Laurel Street in Reading passed away peacefully on May 22 in the Spring Township home of his daughter Maryann, lovingly surrounded by his surviving children, their spouses and several grandchildren. Mr. Straka had resided with Maryann and her family since October 2020. Mr. Straka was a veteran of World War II and served in the European Theater from D-Day +17 until VE Day, May 4, 1945. As a courier in the 310th Signal Operations Battalion he was responsible for transporting secret communiques among high-level commanders including Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he was employed by the United States Postal Service in Philadelphia and Reading. His 35-year career began as a vehicle driver and he advanced through driver examiner and instructor, accident investigator, vehicle operations analyst, and energy conservation officer. After retiring from the USPS in 1980 he began a second career as an administrative assistant for a Pennsylvania state representative, retiring from that position in 2000. A first-generation American, Mr. Straka was extremely proud of his Slovak heritage and was very active in civic and church organizations. He was a devoted Catholic and parishioner of SS. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church in Reading, where he was also a member of the Holy Family Guild. Frank was a lifelong member of the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota) and the Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary of the Slovak Home Association from 1946-1960. From 1962 to 1970 he was a member, Welfare Officer, and Commander of the Francis J. Adams Post #876 of the Catholic War Veterans. At various times Frank was a member of the council and board of directors of the Model Cities Program, the Library Board, Crime Watch, Emergency Management Agency, and Prince Street Historical District in Reading. He was a publicly-elected member of the Reading School Board for eight years in the 1990s. Mr. Straka’s life was notable for his strong devotion to his family and the church. Mr. Straka was predeceased by his wife Mary (née Ohrin) in 1978 and by his son the Rev. Francis P. Straka in 2017. He is survived by five children and thirteen grandchildren: Mr. Michael Straka of Denver, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. William (Maryann) Bennethum of Sinking Spring; Mr. & Mrs. Gregory (June) Straka of Exeter Township, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph (Julie) Straka of Exeter Township, and Mr. & Mrs. Timothy (Catherine) Jones of Exeter Township. Mr. Straka’s thirteen grandchildren include Mary and Emily Straka of Denver, Colorado; Mr. & Mrs. William (Bernadette) Bennethum of Denver, Colorado, Nicholas Bennethum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Katherine Bennethum of Sinking Spring; Joshua and Ashley Straka, Joseph, Benjamin, Madison, and Maryjo Straka, and Dylan and Sarah Jones, all of Exeter Township. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00AM in SS Cyril & Methodius RC Church. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may pay their condolences on Thursday from 9:00AM to 11:00AM at the church. Gallman-Sonoski Funeral Home, Inc., Reading has charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at t2t.org.