Frank grew up in West Allis, WI. After school he joined the Army Air Corp where he was stationed in the 8th Air Force as a B- 17 bombardier. Flying in the belly blister of the Mitchell bomber, he was a member of the bombing squadron stationed in England and responsible for bomb runs into Germany and surrounding areas in World War 11. On June 23, 1945, he married Marie Schultz in Cudahy, Wisconsin. After an honorable discharge, he worked assembling Sterling Motor Trucks until they moved production out of state. He then went to work for American Motors Corp. There he was a supervisor and also worked in security. After about 20 years of service, he retired and in 1976, moved to Townsend. He enjoyed time spent outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing, or gathering firewood. He built the home he and his wife lived in, and he always kept himself busy. Most of all, he enjoyed the time spent with his family, and he will be sadly missed.
Survivors include his wife Marie; one son, Richard (Janet) Opiela, Townsend; grandchildren Carie (Dan) Moravec, Wabeno; Eric Opiela, Townsend; one great-grandson, Brandon; three sisters, Florence Chmielewski, of Las Vegas, NV, Genevieve Liedtke, of West Allis; Irene (Jack) Jirovec, of West Allis; one brother, Edward Opiela, Eagle, WI.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Mary and a sister, Delores Montalhano.
Friends called upon the family on Friday, February 9, from 2-5 p.m. at the Suminski Funeral Home, Wabeno. Funeral services followed at 5 with Rev. Gerald Behling leading the services. Services concluded at the funeral home.