John E. Frakes, 74, of Elizabeth, Indiana, passed away Saturday, September 4, 2010 at Floyd Memorial Hospital in New Albany with his family at his side. John was retired, after 30 years of service, from Ford Motor Company on Fern Valley Road in Louisville. He was also a home builder in Southern Indiana. John loved fishing and hunting with family and listening to country music as well as following IU Basketball. John will be remembered for his "joke of the day" and for his love for family and friends.
John was born on February 24, 1936 in Mauckport, Indiana, to the late Raymond and Clara M. (Crosier) Frakes.
John is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, JoAnn (Ruoff) Frakes; children, Sherry Dowell and her husband John of New Albany and Dickie Frakes and his wife Charlene of Elizabeth; sister, Charolette Ernst and her husband Junior of Laconia, Betty O'Dea and her husband John of Mauckport and Helen Reas and her husband Paul of Corydon; grandchildren, Aubrey Frakes, Chad Dowell and his wife April, Jay Dowell and his wife Bryanna, Sarah Alexander and her husband Nick and Ashley Miller and her husband Scott; 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be from 2 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Newcomer Funeral Home – Southern Indiana Chapel (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany, IN). His funeral will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 in the Paul F. Kraft, Sr. Memorial Chapel at the funeral home with entombment to follow at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park in New Albany.