Frank R. Schoonover Jr.

Frank R. Schoonover Jr., 81, of Van Wert, passed away at 9:55 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2016, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born November 30, 1934, in Van Wert, the son of Frank R. Schoonover Sr. and Emma (Taylor) Schoonover-Tyler, who both preceded him in death. He first married Shelva (Brabant) Schoonover, who preceded him in death in 2003. He then married Lois (Case) Schoonover, who survives in Van Wert.

Other survivors include four children, Melody (Frank) Thompson of Columbia City, Indiana, Julie (Mick) McMillen of Van Wert County, Mike (Amy) Schoonover of California, and Shawn (Mike) Fickert of Van Wert County; five stepchildren, Harry, Kelly, and Carl Jones, Vicki McClellan, and Patti Roberts; two brothers, Larry (Bev) Schoonover of Van Wert and Tom (Mary) Tyler of Pennsylvania; two sisters, Carolyn (Steve) Murphy of Texas and Emma (Wade) Raines of Van Wert; a sister-in-law, Penny Tyler of Van Wert; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

A brother, Butch Tyler; and one sister, Gloria Felger, also preceded him in death.

Frank worked for many years at Kennedy Manufacturing Company in Van Wert before retiring from International Harvester after 30 years of service. He attended North Union United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert County, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the 11th Airborne.

Frank was instrumental in forming Haviland Little League Baseball, where he also coached for many years. He often attended Cincinnati Reds baseball games and was an avid Cleveland Browns fan. Frank enjoyed mowing lawns and did so at Blue Creek Cemetery. He also loved bird watching.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with Pastor Greg Wack and Mike Schoonover officiating. Burial will be in Blue Creek Cemetery in rural Paulding County, with military honors rendered by units of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, c/o Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.

Condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.