Beatrice “Bea” Marian Frank, age 89 of Carlyle, passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese on Monday, February 27, 2023, surrounded by her family.
Bea was born in Highland, Illinois on August 29, 1933, a daughter of the late Addison and Nora (Zobrist) Clanton. She married Peter Edward “Ed” Frank on January 22, 1952, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, and he preceded her in death on May 4, 2007.
Mrs. Frank is survived by her son – Kevin Frank and wife Sharon of Carlyle; a daughter – Suzanne Christ and husband Richard of Carlyle; 5 grandchildren – Kevin Frank and wife Sara of Carlyle, Krista Matthies and husband Nate of New Lenox, IL, Steven Christ of Carlyle, Laura Davis and husband Zachary of Evanston, IL, and Nicholas Christ of Carlyle; and 3 great-grandchildren – Dean Frank, Wesley Frank, and Drew Matthies.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Bea was preceded in death by a son – Daniel Frank on June 1, 1978; her brothers – Wesley Clanton and Richard Clanton; and her sisters – Eleanor Guennewig, Bernice “Boots” Kuhn, and Janice Koehnemann.
Bea’s life centered around her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt to her many nieces and nephews. Bea worked beside her husband, and together they owned and operated Ed Frank Jewelry in Carlyle until his passing in 2007. Through the years, she was active in the Carlyle community and was awarded the Carlyle Jaycees Citizen of the Year award and the Keys to the City in 1980. She was instrumental in bringing the Christmas decorations and parade to Carlyle, as well as the Halloween festivities downtown. Bea and Ed enjoyed dancing and playing cards with their family and friends. She loved to cook, and there was always an extra seat at the table for others to enjoy. Bea was an active member of St. Mary’s Church, and she looked forward to attending weekly Mass. She was a member of St. Ann Altar Sodality and the Highland V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at St. Mary’s Church in Carlyle. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home on Friday, March 3, 2023, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, and on Saturday morning from 8:00 – 9:30 A.M. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Frank are suggested to St. Mary’s Church and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. Online condolences may be shared at www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
