Frank Battaglear

Frank L. Battaglear Frankie Lee Battaglear of Coffeyville, Kansas, died Saturday, January 12, 2008, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. He was 83. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Funeral Home. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. Military honors will be afforded by the Coffeyville VFW. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The son of John and Elizabeth Creason Battaglear, he was born August 23, 1924, in Coffeyville, KS. He graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1942. He later attended Coffeyville Junior College for a brief time where he played football. He served in the European Theater with the US Navy as a Seaman First Class during WWII from 1942-1946. Following his discharge, he returned to Coffeyville where he was united in marriage to Betty Lair on September 13, 1947, at the First Christian Church in Coffeyville. She survives at the home. He was employed by the Missouri-Pacific Railroad as a car man for 30 years before retiring. Mr. Battaglear was active in the community, serving as an actor in many Coffeyville Community Theater productions. He was also in charge of the Avenue of Flags for many years and painted and repaired houses as a volunteer for Operation Prairie Storm. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Donna Carmen of St. Peters, MO; one brother, James Battaglear of Coffeyville; two sisters, Louise Conger of Coffeyville and Rosie McNutt of Downey, CA; one step-brother, Paul H. Crandell of Coffeyville; one step-sister, Juanita Battaglear of Wichita, KS; five grandchildren, Megan Goodwin, Crystal White, Patrick Robinson, Chad Carmen and Jason Carmen; and five great-grandchildren, Briar, Abram, Cooper , Jason and Jack . Preceding him in death are his parents; a daughter, Connie Robinson; and 17 brothers and sisters. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.