Frank L. Witczak
Frank L. Witczak
November 18th, 1947 – February 2nd, 2025
*Author’s Note: The following excerpts in our “Life Stories” are from the Celebration of Life service for Frank L. Witczak for you to read, reflect, and pay your respects privately. This is the second time I was called upon to honor a Frank Witczak. I officiated the service for Frank’s father, Frank E. Witczak, in 2019. Frank had told his daughter that he wanted his service to be just like his dad’s. I am truly humbled to have been selected again by the Witczak family to help them pay tribute to another beloved Frank. The service for Frank in Des Plaines, IL included military honors and endearing sentiments shared by Frank’s children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by many.
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My services included creating a treasured photo slideshow for loved ones to watch and reminisce.
Frank L. Witczak Tribute Slideshow (click here to watch)
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We gather here today with broken hearts because Frank is no longer a physical presence in our lives. We have a powerful sense of loss. Where we are experiencing his loss- a missing piece- Frank is experiencing completeness- wholeness. May you know in your hearts that Frank’s journey is complete, he is home now in the loving embrace of our Lord in heaven. He is reunited with the many loved ones he had been missing including his parents, Frank and Myrtle, his wife, Josephine, and many other friends and family members and dogs. He is surrounded by love.
And while the broken pieces of your heart will never quite be the same, know that Frank would not want your heart to be troubled. May you find comfort in sweet memories, may you find peace in the ways you find him to still be a part of your present, and may you find hope in being reunited with him some day in the kingdom of God.
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This family has a theme of great fathers- truly remarkable men that put family first and cherished their kids and grandkids. Jennifer said, “We were all my dad’s favorite, in different ways. He taught us morals, work ethic, generosity, kindness, fishing, and baseball.”
That is an all-encompassing list of what a father and grandfather can do. This wonderful man is now gone from your daily life, and that is a lot to process. He taught you, he helped you, he cared for you…now how can you keep his message of love with you always? There is something about a father’s message that truly becomes part of our being. And this poem came to mind:
The loss of a father is the anchor pulled from the seabed, the steering wheel unhinged, The mast spilt by lightning and the bow broken by storm. The ship you sail now feels unsafe, no longer weatherproof, without direction or brave heart to speed its way. Perhaps you did not even know that he was your compass, that you gazed upon his lead like a north star in the night. He gave you all of this you see without notice or congratulation. Diligently, consistently, continuously guiding always showing the way in the way he knew how. And whilst you are cast adrift, know this to be true. You will anchor yourself once more when you realize that his voice still speaks, still guides, still brings a brave heart your way in the roughest of storms. And the answers you seek, he already planned deep for he knew one day. So he buried little pieces of himself within your heart, your mind, your spirit, and your soul; little breadcrumbs of love to show the way home. -The Loss of A Father by Donna Ashworth
My most heartfelt wish for you is that you find those breadcrumbs from Frank and cherish them, continue to learn from them, and feel his love with you always.
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Frank was born in Chicago, IL and lived a life marked by dedication to his country, his work, his family, and his love of God.
Frank took exceptional pride in his profession as a pipefitter in the Chicagoland area and then embraced his retirement years in the dream house he built on Table Rock Lake in Missouri. In 1993, he married Josephine, who sadly passed two weeks prior to Frank in 2025. Frank loved his routines at his lake house- especially driving the golf cart while his dog, Shadow, walked beside him. Frank was a cherished member of the Galena, MO community and a proud veteran. He was a devoted member of the Ignite Church at Lakewood in Branson West, where he had lots of friends and his presence will be deeply missed.
Frank’s legacy of integrity, courage, and love will continue to inspire all who knew him.
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During the Vietnam War, Frank answered the call of duty and served in the United States Navy. Frank was very proud of his service to this great nation. One definition of a Veteran, whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve, is- someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “up to, and including his/her life.” That is what Frank did. That is honor. That is a soldier.
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others remains immortal.” – Albert Pike
Frank’s service to our country will remain immortal.
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Frank will be forever loved and missed by his children and stepchildren and their families, his sister, 12 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, and many other dear family members and friends.
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Frank, may you rest in eternal peace knowing you are dearly loved.
My sincere condolences and love, Holly