Frank Harvey Rothermel

Frank Harvey Rothermel, 80, long-time resident of Winter Haven, FL, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home. Burial will be at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma, MI. Funeral Services will be held 1:00 P.M. Monday, October 23, 2006 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville with Pastor Jonathan Kruschel officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service starting at 12:00 noon. Memorials may be made to either Resurrection Lutheran Church in Winter Haven, Florida, or Cornerstone Hospice, PO Box 217 Haines City, FL 33844. Born in Broadlands, Illinois on June 30, 1926, Frank grew up in Berrien County, Michigan and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and Stevensville High School. A World War II veteran, Frank was drafted into the infantry at age 18. He took part in the Philippine Campaign and earned the Expert Combat Infantryman Badge, and other decorations. He was a member of the American Legion for 58 years (Frierson-Nichols Post 8, Winter Haven, FL) He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Irene Rothermel of Stevensville; by his brother, Donald L. “Bud” Rothermel also of Stevensville (1996); two sisters, Helen M. Miney of Lakeland, FL(1991) and Ruth H. Davis of South Bend, IN (2004). Survivors include his brother, Richard A. Rothermel of Millersville, MD; a stepson, Wesley Galen English of Fremont, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. In 1960, Frank married the former Melba English, a widow with three small boys. The ceremony was held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevensville, MI, where they resided for a time. When the marriage ended in divorce in 1970, Frank moved to Winter Haven, FL where he worked in the trucking industry and remained there for the rest of his life. A distinguished veteran truck driver, Frank’s lifetime career began at H.K. Cupp and Sons in Stevensville hauling fresh produce from Michigan to markets in Chicago. Upon moving to Florida, he was employed by Carl Subler & Co. of Auburndale and by Indian River Transport of Winter Haven. During his career, he visited all the contiguous 48 states and Alaska as well as several provinces in Canada. In recognition of this outstanding safety record, Frank was twice honored as Florida’s Trucker of the Year, in both 1990 and 1991. He was an avid Cribbage player and participated in numerous tournaments. Frank was loyal to both his family and friends alike. In the spirit of Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink.I was sick and you visited me.” Many will testify to his faithfulness and kindness and to his devotion to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.