Frank O. Hildebrand, age 83, of Lamar, Missouri went home to be with the Lord Thursday, March 17, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family.
Frank was born February 6, 1933 in Wyandotte, Oklahoma, one of the eight children of Sam and Alice (Harris) Hildebrand. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Pauline (Hildebrand) Keffer.
On May 26, 1957, at Prescott, Kansas, Frank married the love of his life, Shirley Elliott, and she survives of the home. Also surviving are four daughters, Lori (Joey) Matlock, Nixa, Missouri, Amber (Curtis) Russell, Redfield, Kansas, Gina Worthington, Gunnison, Colorado, and Jill (Damon) Hall, Lamar; three brothers, Norman Hildebrand, Quapaw, Oklahoma, Sam (Delores) Hildebrand, Claremore, Oklahoma, and Marvin (Florence) Hildebrand, Mannford, Oklahoma; three sisters, Georgia Gettle, Shawnee, Oklahoma, Ola Mae Ward and Roma (Orvall) Qualls of Wyandotte; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a large extended family; and many close friends.
In 1950, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving eight of his ten year tour of duty in foreign and sea service in Korea and Japan. He then joined the U.S. Army, serving another ten years before retiring from the military in 1970. Settling his family in Fort Scott, Kansas, Frank worked as a conductor for the Frisco Railroad for 13 years, then as a service coordinator for Tri Valley, retiring in 1994. Moving to Grove, Oklahoma, he was able to enjoy fishing and spending time on the lake with family while still serving others in his role as Elder of the Wyandotte Nation. Frank and Shirley moved to Lamar in 2014 to be near family as his health declined. Frank’s priorities of “God, Family, Country” were genuine and obvious throughout his life. Always faithful church workers wherever they made their home, Frank and Shirley appreciated the fellowship of their First Baptist Church family in Lamar. Frank cherished Shirley, adored his girls, and loved every minute spent with his grandkids and great-grands. Pride in his heritage and his country was evident in Frank’s service in the Grove American Legion and Wyandotte Nation Color Guard.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 21st at First Baptist Church in Lamar. A graveside committal service with full military honors will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Monday at Wyandotte Indian Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 20th at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society in care of the funeral home.
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