Frank Mechem

Published by editor on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 5:45am

William Franklin Mechem II, 83, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, 201 3^rd Avenue North East in Clarion, with Pastor Lewis Flanigan officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

William “Frank,” son of John and Jessie (Archerd) Mechem, was born on September 7, 1939 in Clarion. He was raised on the farm and graduated from Clarion High School in 1957 where he enjoyed 4-H, FFA, and wrestling. Upon graduating, he joined the United States Navy where he served on the USS Saratoga.

On September 19, 1958, Frank was united in marriage to Mary A. Jones in Jacksonville, Florida. After his Honorable Discharge the couple returned to Clarion where Frank worked at General Mills in Belmond. He then began working for Iowa Beef Packing, which moved him and his growing family to Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska. While in Kansas, he worked nights and attended classes by day at Kansas State Teacher’s College receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1973. Frank and his family moved back to his hometown of Clarion in 1977 where he served as a rural carrier for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 2009. He, like his father and grandfather, was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Clarion. He was a talented gardener, avid fisherman, and a voracious reader, but above all, a devoted husband, father to ten children, and proud grandfather and great grandpa.

Frank is survived by his loving wife, Mary, daughters Rachael Hetzel, Laurie Judge, Lisa Regan, Bess Broich, Kaylyn Gangestad; sons Mark Mechem, Greg Mechem and John Mechem and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; sister Eleanor Griffin; many nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant daughters, Sarah and Megan, brother Leslie Mechem and sister, Florence Noelck.

www.ewingfh.com

Ewing Funeral Home

1801 Central Avenue East

Clarion, Iowa 50525

515-532-2233