Frank Clingan

TRAVERSE CITY — Frank Orrin Clingan, 77, a lifelong resident of Traverse City, passed away Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, surrounded by his loving family. Frank was born on Tuesday, March 6, 1934, to the late Wilson (Lefty) Clingan and Elizabeth (Hopkins) Clingan Hoard in Mayfield. Following his graduation from high school, Frank served our country as a member of the U.S. Air Force.On Saturday, Nov. 8, 1958, in Tustin, Frank married the former Patricia Jensen. Having been employed in sales at Coca Cola for 19 years, Frank retired from there in 1978. He worked for a brief time at Traverse City Iron Works and then drove school buses and mail trucks for many years. He was a member of Peninsula Bible Church, the Eagles and the American Legion. Frank loved fishing, boating, hunting and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed playing baseball and was a catcher for his dad's team. Frank also was an avid TV watcher. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, especially taking them fishing. Frank was genuinely interested in how other people were doing; he loved to socialize and always had a smile and a handshake for everyone. One of his greatest attributes was being able to forgive and then move on. And, if you got to visit his garage, you knew you were special.Frank is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Patricia; by their children, Cynthia (Michael) Ashton, of Mystic, Conn., Tamara (Robert) Coffey, of Lowell, and Bradford Clingan, of Denver, Colo.; and his grandchildren, Sean Ashton and Alyssa, Andrea and Robert F. Coffey. Frank is also survived by his brother, Jim Clingan, of Grand Rapids; his brother-in-law, Gilbert (Dorothy) Jensen, of St. David, Ariz.; and his "adopted" children, Marsha (Michael) Kantz and family, of Kingsley, and Terry (Michele) Dansingburg and their family, of Traverse City. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ida Clingan. Visitation for friends and family will be held Sunday, Feb. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Visitation will also take place on Monday, Feb. 20, beginning at 10 a.m., with funeral services at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Pastor John Sowash will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.Memorial contributions may be directed to Peninsula Bible Church or Munson Hospice House. Please share your memories of Frank with his family at his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.