Ernest (Dopey) Frederick Frank - Ernie quietly passed away in his home Tuesday, May 12, 2009, after a long battle with Dementia and multiple pneumonia episodes at the age of 84. Born on April 30, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland, he was preceded in death by his parents Ernest Abner Frank and Adeline Barbara Frank who were longtime residents of Centre Hall. He was a Lutheran, a member of the State College Elks Lodge #1600, and was a charter member of the American Legion Post #779 in Old Fort.
Ernest, known affectionately to many as "Ernie", "Doonie", or "Dopey", had moved to Centre Hall, PA when he was 5 years old and spent most of his life there. He proudly commented that he had never missed a Grange Fair attendance since his birth 84 years ago. He remembered the fun duty of climbing up the center pole of his grandfather's tent to place the umbrella on top to keep out the rain, and the wonderful meals that his grandmother would cook for the entire family at the Fair. He enjoyed talking with old friends at the Fair and especially having his cousin Drew Fetteroff coming up from Alabama to visit him there.
Ernie attended the Centre Hall - Potter High School and graduated in 1943. (He hosted the last high school reunion in the backyard of his home in August 2005 and enjoyed seeing and reminiscing with his remaining classmates and teacher.) After graduation in 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy as Boatswain Mate 3rd Class aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet CV-12 until 1946. He was a "plank owner" of CV-12, and proudly served his country during World War II in the Pacific arena. Ernie was a longstanding member of the Hornet Club and had attended many reunions nation-wide with shipmates from U.S.S. Hornet CV-8, CV-12, and CVA-12.
Some knew Ernie best from his 15 years as a CATA bus driver. He would make potato chips from home grown potatoes and would pass them out to the riders on his bus route. He made many friends while driving and a few remember "Ernie's Last Ride" retirement party aboard his bus. He retired when he was 71 years old. Upon retirement, he found many home projects to do and enjoyed having friends come to his backyard cabana for snacks, drinks, and meals.
In September 2005 he married Rosemary Kathryn (Phelps) Manning who survives at home, four step-children Charles Manning and wife Kim of Catharpin, VA, Erik Manning of Centre Hall, Wendy Ensor and husband Kevin of Pasadena, MD, and Kara Ricco and husband Anthony of Boothwyn, PA; seven step-grandchildren Craig, Alex, and Elizabeth Manning, Fiona and Olivia Ensor, and Anthony and Isabella Ricco. He is also survived by his cousin Drew Fetteroff and wife Beverly of Alabama; Annette (Pudge) Smith of Bellefonte; Frederick Frank and wife Jan of Port Matilda; Sue Petro and husband Tony of Morrisdale, PA; Maxine Ishler and husband Phillip (Butch) of Bellefonte; Patricia Devlin of Green Bay, WI; Bobby McClenahan and Bill McClenahan of Centre Hall, Jack McClenahan of Bellefonte, and numerous second cousins.
Friends will be received from 6 - 8 p. m. Saturday, May 16, 2009, and from 1:00 to 2:00p. m. Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Mark D. Heintzelman and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA. The funeral service will follow immediately at 2:00 p. m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Dean Rupe officiating. Burial will be in the Reformed and Lutheran Cemetery, W. Church St. Centre Hall, with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for the placement of a bench at the Grange Fair should be sent to "The Ernie Frank Bench Fund", c/o LeDon Young, P.O. Box 258, Centre Hall, PA 16828 or to the U.S.S. Hornet Association, Inc., P.O. Box 108, Roaring Spring, PA 16673 to help fellow shipmates in need.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com