Frank P. Elenich, age 99, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, October 21, 2021, exactly one month shy of his 100th birthday, at Canal View - Houghton County where he had been a resident since September 4, 2019. Frank was born on November 21, 1921, to Slovenian immigrant parents at home, in Raymbaultown location, Calumet, MI. He was the sixth child, of eight children, that were born to the late John and Mary (Shaltz) Elenich. Frank was a lifetime member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Calumet, MI. He attended the Calumet schools through the eighth grade. In 1942, he was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his country for four years during World War II. He served under General George Patton in England, France, and Germany. In 1946, he was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Corporal. Frank felt honored to be listed, with other area veterans, inside the Calumet Colosseum and the vestibule at St. Paul Apostle Catholic Church. After returning from Europe, Frank worked in maintenance at Reichhold Chemicals, in Ferndale, Michigan, working the nightshift, until 1991 when he retired. He then returned to Calumet, where he lived independently for 28 years at the Carriage Apartments above Newman Appliances.
After returning from service, he lived life without a vehicle. Daily, he’d walk to the post office and Family Dollar or take the Neil’s Cab to Houghton and Hancock. He would do his own grocery shopping plus visit Goodwill to see if he could find a good deal. He enjoyed stopping at the Kaleva Café for a sandwich, a sweet treat, and a cup of coffee before heading back home. Frank made new friends at these places over many, many years. Everyone will remember Frank as a soft-spoken, carefree, polite, well kept, clean shaven, quiet, kind man with a bit of a sweet tooth, and one that was a stickler for being on time. He enjoyed the simple things and didn’t mind being single all of his life. Frank enjoyed celebrating holidays and his birthdays with family and friends and regularly went out to breakfast and shared daily evening phone conversations. His greatest enjoyment was his favorite Mackinac Island Fudge ice cream and trips to Copper Harbor. He was an avid sports fan. He would watch the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions, Red Wings and Tigers. Also, he enjoyed watching John Wayne movies, other classic westerns, and history documentaries. Preceding him in death were his parents; his seven siblings and their spouses. Mary (Rudolph) Kump, John (Leona and Ethel) Elenich, Anna (Joseph) Gerdesich, Joseph Elenich, Frances (Raymond) Smith, Agnes “Terri” (Harold) Herminath, and Margaret (Raymond) Lindgren. Frank is survived by many nieces and nephews near and far. Francis Kump, Calumet, MI; Edward (Marlene) Orland Park, Illinois; Jane (Joseph) Warren, White Bear Lake, MN; Ivy (Ralph) Heikka, Plymouth, WI; Thomas (Debbie) Lindgren, L’Anse, MI; Catherine (Steve) Jordan, Hancock, MI; John (Diane) Elenich, Flint, MI; Carol (Bob) Adams, Utica, Michigan, and Michael Elenich, Christmas, MI and cousin Richard Jilbert of Eagle Harbor,
A special “thank you” to Barbara Yannatta, Duane Coponen, Ron Jouppe and Janet Coponen for their friendship and support throughout the years. Frank’s family would like to say a heartfelt “thank you” to the amazing staff, on the second floor of Canal View, for their excellent care, kindness and friendship that was given during his stay. Uncle Frank will remain in our hearts, and will be truly missed by all.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 27th at the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Gracious Pulimoottil to officiate. Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery. Friends may call at the Ryan Funeral Home from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the Mass.
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