Frank Malewitz

Traverse City: In the wee small hours of the morning, on December 2, 2022, Frank Malewitz died peacefully, surrounded by his loving children. Buoyed by his faith, he was lifted by his angels into the arms of his loving wife Joan. Frank was born in Jackson, Michigan, to William and Anna (Watson) Malewitz, on September 25, 1928. He lost both of his parents by the age of 12, but was cared for by his devoted siblings and their spouses. Frank grew up in a close-knit neighborhood, comprised in large part of extended family. It was a place where he would hear stories from his Great Uncle Whitey Watson about his escapades performing with the Zouaves in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, and where neighbors would gather around the bench behind the grocery store to hear fascinating tales of exotic Florida from a local who had just returned. He was raised in St. John’s Parish of Jackson, and his Catholic faith remained central to him throughout his life. He attended St. John’s schools, and played football for them in high school; he and his teammates remained lifelong friends. In 1951, after finishing college, Frank met Joan Elizabeth Tallman at a dance, telling his best friend on their way home that he intended to marry her. They had their first date in June of 1951, and started a conversation that lasted the rest of their lives together. It was a good week for Frank; he had started his job at Acme Industries on the Monday prior to their first date. Frank attended Cleary Business School and was hired at Acme of Jackson following graduation. He worked there for twenty-one years, and described his years there as the happiest of his professional life. He started out as a cost accountant, doing inventory in the stock room. Frank had mentors at Acme who saw his potential, though, and he ended his career there having achieved the position of Vice President of Finance. His position at times involved accompanying other top executives around the country to secure and manage contracts. Frank especially enjoyed his trips to Washington, D.C., for work with the Air Force. He had many interesting stories about his trips, and the friends that he made along the way. Frank left the company after Acme was acquired by City Investing, and went to work for Rudy Manufacturing, a division of Sunstrand Corporation, in Dowagiac, Michigan. He moved the family to nearby South Bend, Indiana, which happened to be the home of his beloved Notre Dame (he purchased the family's home from Norte Dame’s legendary athletic director Ed “Moose” Krause). His family’s lives were enriched by a two-year adventure in that city, but career changes drew Frank and his family back to Jackson, where he worked for the remainder of his career as an independent consultant. Following his retirement in 2002, Frank and Joan moved to Traverse City. Joan passed in 2008, and once Frank was again ready to join the world, he developed a group of friends through a grief group, and they continued to socialize for years. At one point he was arranging lunches for 20 of his friends at Brady’s Bar. Out of this group, he developed a special friendship with Patricia (McManus) Glauch, whose companionship brightened his days until her passing in 2019. Frank is survived by his children, Bill Malewitz of Glenview, IL, Lisa (D.J.) Oleson, of Traverse City, Molly Malewitz (Erik Hoisington) of Traverse City, Mark Malewitz (Patti Wood) of East Lansing, and Ann (Neil) O’Donnell of Traverse City, grandchildren, Nate (Maureen), Mark (Anne Marie), Lauren (Ben), Jacob, Zack (Josh), Lea, Frank, Katie, and Erin, and several great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister-in-law Cathy Malewitz. In addition to his beloved wife, Frank was also preceded in death by sisters Celia Rita (Alec) Karazim, and Mary Schnebelt, brothers Bill and Norbert (Josephine) Malewitz, daughter in law Donna Berndt-Malewitz, and infant son Daniel. Visitation will take place on Friday December 9, 2022, from 4:00pm-7:00pm, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, with a prayer service and remembrance beginning at 6:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Church at 11:00am, with a visitation at the church to precede mass, beginning at 10am. A luncheon in Centennial Hall will follow mass, and there will be a procession to Oakwood Cemetery for interment following the luncheon. Mass will be live streamed. Please visit the church website to find a link to view. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Immaculate Conception Church or Interfaith Shelter in Jackson, MI.

Frank Malewitz

September 25, 1928 - December 2, 2022