Frank J FURFARO

22 MAY 1924 - 8 JAN 2019

• BIRTH: 22 MAY 1924, Gerace, Reggio Calabria, Italy
• DEATH: 8 JAN 2019, Mishawaka, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N20353] Frank J. Furfaro
May 22, 1924 - Jan. 8, 2019

MISHAWAKA, IN - Frank Joseph Furfaro, formerly of Mishawaka, passed away at 7:00AM, Tuesday, January 8, 2019 in the comfort of his home with his wife at his side. Frank was born on May 22, 1924 in Gerace, Calabria, Italy to Teresa (Campiti) and Dominic Anthony Furfaro. In 1928 he, his mother, and sister Angie joined his father in Elkhart, IN. His siblings always loved and got along with each other. He had an aunt, Mary Serifino and uncle, Joe Campiti in Elkhart also. He graduated from St. Vincent grade school and attended Elkhart public schools until Pearl Harbor. Frank enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 13, 1943 and served as a diesel mechanic in WWII. He attained the rank of Motor Machinist Mate 1st Class and served on the island of Tinian; hewas Honorably Discharged on February 1, 1946. He worked at Simon Brothers in South Bend for 29 years and retired on June 30, 1983. Frank married Kay White Hepler on March 18, 1983 in Bremen, IN. After retirement he and his wife worked together for 10 years. They enjoyed traveling to machine knitting seminars all over the country, where she taught and he sold her books. Frank enjoyed cooking, especially making the dishes his mother had made, working in his yard, crossword puzzles, reading, listening to music, and watching documentaries on TV. He very much enjoyed getting together with his extended family. In his later years he enjoyed eating lunch every day with friends. He enjoyed laughing at jokes and would try to give others something to laugh about. Along with his wife Kay, he is survived by his two daughters, Jeannie Hickman of Elkhart, IN and Carol Ryan (Jim Freeman) of Freeland, WA; four grandchildren, Crystal Ryan and Danielle Bragen of Las Vegas, NV, Brittney Cannon of Fort Wayne, and Joe Gerber; three great-grandchildren, Malia and Ariana Bragen of Las Vegas, NV, and Braden Cannon of Huntington; three sisters-in-law, Jane Furfaro of Elkhart, Mary Ann Bules of Etna Green, and Lauretta (Susie) Holderread of Fishers, IN; three stepdaughters, Cindy Cortez (Craig Krutra) of Katy, TX, Sherri Hepler and Pastor Lois (Ron) Cannon of Huntington, IN, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his previous wife, Blanch; daughter, Linda Plummer; two brothers, James and Tony; two sisters, Angie Cataldo and Mary Vanator; his daughter, Linda Plummer; grandson, Christopher Plummer; and stepson, Dennis Helper. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, January 12 from 10:00 until 11:00AM in the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00AM with Rev. Lois Cannon officiating. As per his wishes cremation is to take place with burial to be at the Etna Green Township Cemetery. Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 11, 2019