Frank Ray Hall

Frank Ray Hall, 97, died June 10, 2018 at Southridge Assisted Living. Frank was born on April 13, 1921 on a little farm on East Long Lake Road next to Howard School which is no longer there. He grew up in the Depression Days of 1929-1939. His family moved to Traverse City in 1930 after his folks lost the farm. He had two paper routes while attending Traverse City High School and graduated with the class of 1939. He then went to work at John C. Morgan Canning Company after graduation. In November 1941, he joined the Army Air Corps just before World War II started. He was a touret gunner on a bomber during the Normandy Invasion. He was honorably discharged in 1945 after earning the WWII Victory Medal, a bronze star and a silver star. In 1945, he returned home to Traverse City and married his sweetheart, Esther Marie Brakel on June 29, 1946. Together they built their home on M37 just south of Chums Corners. Here they raised their children; Gary, Nancy, David and Kathleen. A son Jeffery Ray died in infancy. After working for 30 years at the Traverse City State Hospital, he retired at the age of 57. In 1975, Frank and Esther moved to Brakel Point Drive on Silver Lake. He was not one to sit idle, so he continued his employment at Gordie Frasier until the age of 62. In his free time he loved to go fishing with his Brother-in-law Erwin. He taught all of his family how to fish and hunt. He also used to love taking his family cherry picking, much to their dismay, but now looking back, wouldn't trade those memories for anything. In later years, he loved to take Sunday drives all around the Grand Traverse Region. Frank was a kind and lovable man. He was always surrounded by kids and was well respected by all. He loved to cheer on his grand kids and great grandkids at their sporting events. He also liked to help his kids with any work projects that they had going on. Frank was greatful that his children checked in on him daily. He moved to Southridge Assisted Living in 2013. He wanted everyone to know that at age 97, he lived a full life and his bags were packed and ready for that long trip up yonder. Frank was preceded in death by his beloved Esther in 2012 after 65 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his grandson Ryan Scott Besaw, his parents Ray and Emma Hall, his sister Lillian and all of his brothers; Harold, Harry, Charles, William, Robert and Richard. Frank will be deeply missed by his family members that survive; children Gary (Maggie) Hall of Grawn, Nancy (Clem) Perron of Canaan, New Hampshire, David (Susan) Hall of Rock, and Kathleen (Roger) Reed of Interlochen; grandchildren Wendy (Tim) Webb, Kevin (Tami) Hall, Pamela Parsons, Susan Perron, John Paul Perron, Andy (Amanda) Reed and Jessie (Jason) Sperber; 12 great grandchildren Austin, Jordan, Madison, Haven, Dawson, Dylan, Charlie, Hannah, Gretta, Naomi, Emily and Grace; and sisters-in-law Joanne Hall, Jamie Hall, Marita Bellaw, Jean Brakel and Verna Hall and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 17, 2018 from 6 to 8 pm at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A prayer service will begin at 7:30 pm. The funeral service celebrating Frank's life will be held on Monday, June 18, 2018 at 11:00 am at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with visitation beginning one hour prior. Graveside services will follow at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens where he will receive full military honors from the VFW Cherryland Post #2780 and the United States Army. A luncheon will follow at the VFW hall. Memorial contributions in memory of Frank may be directed to the Salvation Army or to the Father Fred Foundation. A special thank you to Heartland Hospice and Southridge Assisted Living. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories with the family. Just a Common Soldier (A Soldier Died Today) By A. Lawrence Vaincourt He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past. Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one. And tho’ sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we’ll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away, And the world’s a little poorer, for a soldier died today. He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife, For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life. Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way, And the world won’t note his passing, though a soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young, But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung. Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life? A politician’s stipend and the style in which he lives Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives. While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small. It’s so easy to forget them for it was so long ago, That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand? Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end? He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier’s part Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor while he’s here to hear the praise, Then at least let’s give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say, Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

Frank Ray Hall

April 13, 1921 - June 10, 2018