James David Frank

James "Jim" David Frank passed away at the age of 80, Wednesday July 22, 2020 due to complications from cancer treatments. Jim was born in Poland, Indiana on May 31, 1940 to the late Cecil and Margaret (May) Frank. He attended Cloverdale High School and worked on the family farm before getting his first job for the State of Indiana at Leiber State Park. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army. After his tour in the Army, he returned to his job at the Park. He worked many years at the Greencastle Livestock Center. Jim began his IBM career in 1984 in Greencastle, Indiana and moved to Plainfield, Pennsylvania in 1987 where he met Ron. Jim retired in 1999 after15 years of service to IBM. Jim and Ron moved back to the family farm in Poland, Indiana in 2014.


Jim loved to do things for others. When asked what was his favorite thing he ever did, his answer was "to bake cakes for special occasions for his family and friends". Jim also loved to travel and take pictures, his travels took him as far away as China. Many times he remarked "who would have ever thought a kid from Poland, Indiana would have gone so many places".


Jim was preceded in death by his parents as well as sisters Doris Ison and Mary Lou Geiger, his brothers Edwin Frank and Jack Frank. Brother in law Louis Geiger, Sr., nephews Mark Geiger, Jeff Geiger and Larry Wolfram. Dear friends Dean and Adeline Knoy who were his second parents.


Jim is survived by his partner of 30 years, Ronnie Smith, his sister Evelyn Frank, sister in laws Betty (Edwin) Frank and Retha (Jack) Frank. Also surviving are his nieces and nephews Louie (Dinah) Geiger, Connie Geiger, Della (Mark) Geiger, Vicki (Mark) Qualls, Sandi Wolfram, Patti (Scott) Malone and Gary Frank. Great nieces and nephews Chris (Rebecca) Geiger, Hillary (Mike) Mazur, Andrea (Jason) Byrom, Scott Geiger, Ryan Qualls, Rachel Qualls, Laura (Joe) Kozak, Emilie (Stephen) Snider and Adam (Liz) Wolfram.


Jim also leaves behind many friends in Indiana and Pennsylvania, especially life long friends Vickie (Rick) Parker and Beckie (Mark) Nachtrieb and their families, as well as dear friends Brian and Nancy Benson and their family who he enjoyed so much.


The family will bury his ashes at the Poland Chapel Cemetery and have a memorial in his honor at a later date.