Serving West Michigan Since 1899

Frank Sharkey

February 25, 1922 - February 24, 2007
Holland, MI

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Life Story / Obituary


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Frank D. Sharkey was born at a time when America was recovering from the First World War and enjoying industrial prosperity. Charles Lindbergh made his historic transatlantic flight and women were granted the right to vote. On February 25, 1922 in the close community of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Elmer John and Julia Theresa (Bellmore) Sharkey welcomed their son Frank into their lives.

Frank remained a "Wisconsin boy" throughout his years of schooling and in his first jobs that were located in Joliet and Kankakee, Illinois. But he moved to the Chicago area when he started working as a boilermaker. Frank invested himself in the work, becoming a member of the Local 1 Boilermakers Union in Chicago, Illinois and remaining on the job until his retirement. In his leisure he was also a member of the Elks Club, the American Legion, and the Pioneer Club. Frank was an avid card player and golfer. He accomplished the remarkable feat of scoring a hole-in-one...not once but twice in his lifetime!

While still working in Illinois at the Joliet Arsenal plant, Frank had met and married a co-worker named Jean. They raised four wonderful children, but the marriage did not last. In the late 60's, Frank moved to Holland, Michigan where he lived the remainder of his years.

Once in Holland, Frank met Naomi and they joined their lives in marriage in 1968. Frank's family grew to include a stepson and, later, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Frank and Naomi enjoyed 33 years of marriage before she passed away in 2001.

In Frank's passing, his extended family and good friends remember him fondly and cherish the years they had together.

Frank D. Sharkey, age 84, of Holland, died Saturday, February 24, 2007, at Spectrum Health~Butterworth Campus. Preceding him in death was his first wife, Jean Sharkey; second wife, Naomi Sharkey; and two daughters, Janet Sharkey, and Kathleen Sharkey. Surviving are his children: Jeannette and Robert McElroy of Braidwood, Illinois, and John and Button Sharkey of Plainfield, Illinois; Stepson, Mike Doan of Holland; Grandchildren: Janet and Tom Hand, Jacquelyn Sharkey, Stacy Sharkey, Diane Sharkey, John Sharkey, Danette and Joe Pasdertz, Michael Doan, Jr. and Pam, and Katie McGregor; Great Grandchildren: Robert Thomas Hand, Nicole Doan, Annika Doan, Joseph Pasdertz, Brandon Pasdertz, Christopher Pasdertz. He is also survived by many extended family and friends. Funeral services will be held privately. Arrangements are by the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, 188 W. 32nd Street, Holland.

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