Mr. Frank M. Sawdy, Jr., age 84, of Sheridan, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Spectrum Health United Memorial-United Campus, Greenville. The son of Frank Monroe and Eva (Howe) Sawdy, he was born on Sept. 4, 1921 in Lansing. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Frank served stateside during World War II. Always wanting to keep busy, Frank worked at Ore-Ida in Greenville in addition to farming. On Nov. 27, 1976, in McBride, he married Edna Matthews-Kimmel. After retiring in 1984, he and Edna made their home at Tubbs Lake near Mecosta, until returning to the area four years ago. He liked fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening, and camping. An outgoing person, Frank always enjoyed a good conversation and volunteered with the Mecosta County Commission on Aging, the R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) in Big Rapids, and more recently was a foster grandparent at Threshold Academy at Turk Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lee Sawdy; three sisters, Jean Joy, Iola Jenkins, and Nyla Brendahl; a brother-in-law, Fred Sandbrook; and a grandson, Gary Lee TenEyck.
Surviving are his wife, Edna Sawdy of Sheridan; their children, Linda & Stuart Sackett of Edmore, Nancy & Walter Bannen of Lakeview, Suzie & Jim Ruschkewicz of Amble, Frank III & Judy Sawdy of Stanton, Dan & Carol Sawdy of Sheridan, Marcia & Dan Benner of Sidney, Patricia & Michael Johnson of Lansing, Allen & Judy Kimmel of Lansing, Wendy & Carl Pellow of Gowen, and Rita & Tony Grabinski of Langston; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Marian Sandbrook of Lansing, and Rena & Dan Johnston of Alberta; 27 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren with two more to be born soon; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 from the McBride Church of Christ, McBride, with Pastor Steve Dobyns officiating. As Frank wished, a private family viewing was held Thursday evening at the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home, Greenville, with cremation following at Myrtle Park Crematorium, Rockford. Final interment will be in McBride Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, Frank would have appreciated contributions in his memory to either the Mecosta County Commission on Aging (12954 80th Ave., Mecosta, 49332) or Carson Home Care Network (406 E. Elm St., Carson City, 48811).
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