Ionia-Montcalm County MI Archives Obituaries.....Wirtz, Francis Steven 2006
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net August 13, 2010, 7:27 pm

The Ionia Sentinel-Standard, August 2006
Frank Wirtz, age 79, of Greenville, passed away Friday morning, Aug. 4, 2006 
at home surrounded by his loving family. The son of Paul and Anna (Kowatch) 
Wirtz, he was born on August 1, 1927 in Ionia and named Francis Steven Wirtz. 

His elementary school years were spent at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic 
School in Ionia. At the age of 15 he began working with the railroad during 
the summer months, laying railroad track from Grand Rapids to Eagle. At the 
age of 17, with World War II at its height, he ended his schooling at Ionia 
High School to enlist in the U.S. Navy where he served with the Seabees in the 
Pacific theater. He was a life member of the Lester J. Sitts Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post 5065 in Sheridan.

On Oct. 7, 1983, in Stanton, he married Darlene (Towns) Rendall. Over the 
years Frank held many jobs including driving truck for Warner's, being a first 
class radio engineer for WTAC and WTRX in Flint, and working at the former 
Chrysler Trim plant in Lyons. He retired from his own business, Art Machining 
in Stanton, where he built steel rule dies and other automotive parts.  Frank 
enjoyed Ham radio for over 55 years, operating as " K8AYL", and was also a 
skilled wood carver, stained glass artist, and a member of the Montcalm Area 
Art Association, as well as several wood carving clubs.

Surviving are his wife, Darlene Wirtz; his children, Debra Mellema, Art and 
Deb Wirtz, Roger Wirtz, Jim and Norma Wirtz, John and Julie Wirtz; his step-
children, Chris and Fred Zuchowski, Patty and Glen Walker, Mark Rendall, 
Annette Rendall, and Kim Sherrick; siblings-in-law, Pat and Irene Towns, Mick 
and Trudy Towns, and Jean and Fred Peterson; and many, many grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Frank's life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 
8, 2006 at the Sheridan V.F.W. Post 5065, 209 W. Washington, Sheridan. 
Military honors will conclude the event. Instead of flowers, Frank would have 
appreciated contributions in his memory to the Lester J. Sitts V.F.W. Post 
5065.  The Brown-Teman and Christiansen Funeral Home, Greenville, was 
entrusted with the arrangements.


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