Frank Weidman

As a friend, father, and husband, no one could have asked Frank Weidman for more. He was kind and considerate, and he was also a symbol of strength and courage. No matter the difficulties ahead, Frank always maintained a positive spirit by focusing on the blessings in his life, his loving wife and his children and grandchildren.

Amidst the prosperity that followed the end of World War I, big band music bloomed across America. Its happy, upbeat style filled dance halls, and with a twist on the radio dial you could find the likes of Benny Goodman or Glenn Miller. Big band music was the voice of good fortune and optimism, a voice that Frank Weidman would enjoy from his youthful days to his elderly years.

Frank was born on February 13, 1926 in Buffalo, New York to Harrison and Sue Weidman. He grew up with the company of his siblings, his older brother Clare and his sisters Ila and Vicki. The Weidmans were a deeply religious family, and as a mark of their piety Frank was given the middle name Ausbury, a reference to the person who started the Free Methodist denomination in the United States. Harrison Weidman provided for his family as a traveling salesman, but his ability to work was seriously challenged after he fell victim to a hit-and-run accident. He was disabled as a result of his injuries. After this accident his wife Sue abandoned the house without warning, leaving her disabled husband to tend to their four children. However, Harrison proved to be a talented and strong father, and despite his disabled condition he raised his four children by himself. On account of their mother's absence, Frank and his siblings learned to be self-sufficient at a very young age.

Harrison and his four children settled in Detroit, Michigan, where they would live for a few years before relocating to the East Side of Grand Rapids. Here Frank spent most of his childhood. He attended the schools in Grand Rapids, and he often visited Ramona Park to help out with the carnivals and rides. After completing the tenth grade, he left high school to join the Air Force. He would later transfer to the Army, where he would see service in Germany, France, and Austria during the Second World War.

Upon returning safely from the war in Europe, Frank ended up working several odd jobs. One day he went into Fannie Farmers Candy Store in downtown Grand Rapids, where he happened to strike up a conversations with a pretty girl named Alene Sweers. Soon after they began dating, and on September 4, 1947 they were married at Trinity Reformed Church. For their honeymoon, Frank borrowed a car to drive to Holland for the night, and in the morning they caught a train to Detroit.

The newlyweds settled down on the Northwest Side of Grand Rapids, where Alene was from. Just after the marriage Frank found a more stable job working as a bus driver for the city. Alene would often drop him off at the station; later, as he neared the end of his shift, Alene would return to the station to find his bus. She would get on the bus to keep him company for his last few routes and to also "keep the girls off him," she often joked. During this time Alene continued to manage to the candy store.

Frank soon began working for RC Allen, but he eventually quit this job to pursue machinist training in Chicago. Upon returning to Grand Rapids, he worked for ten years with Lear before transferring to Leiteit Iron Works, where he would work for over twenty-five years. Many coworkers said that Frank was "the nicest guy in the world."

After five years of marriage Frank and Alene were blessed with their first child Barbara. Six years later Dave was born, and eight years after that Tim was born. Frank and Alene raised their children in two homes: first at 831 Courtney NW and later at 1300 Hillcrest NW. The family also has many memories from Mitchell State Park in Cadillac, where they used to go camping and fishing. The Weidmans started out with tents, then progressed to popups, and eventually settled on trailers. As a father, Frank was very easy going, but he also had well-established boundaries. His kids respected him and Alene--and if they didn't, they found themselves in trouble. Frank was always very proud of his children and their many accomplishments in life.

Frank was the sort of person who was up for doing anything. He was an incredible bowler, who played whenever he could and was often involved in tournaments. He won several trophies. He liked to play cards, and he spent every Wednesday night at the "Club" played cribbage with his friends. He continued to enjoy music, especially the big bands. With just a few notes he could name the tune. Every Monday he volunteered at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans to help run Bingo Night. He also helped out with their fishing trips. For over fifty-seven years he was a member at Trinity Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon and involved himself in many groups.

Frank was a people's person, and one of his most endearing qualities was his sense of humor. He had a goofiness about him that always brightened a room. For a Church Halloween party, he once dressed up as a baby in a wagon and had Alene pull him around all night. Along with his sense of humor, Frank also demonstrated an amazing optimism. Even as his health problems became increasingly difficult he never complained, preferring instead to look on the brighter side of the situation.

These qualities, as well as others, made Frank and Alene's long marriage a success. They shared the same values and interests. Moreover, Frank was always helpful around the house. As a result of his upbringing, he knew how to make himself useful at home, and it never bothered him to lend a helping hand. As Alene said, "I could have never asked for a better husband."

As Frank and Alene grew older, they were blessed with many grandchildren. One great granddaughter was named Emily Grace, but Frank always called her Amazing Grace, a tune he often sang to her as well. When his granddaughter Amy enlisted in the service, Frank saw an opportunity to fulfill his dream to return to Europe. With Amy stationed in Germany he and Alene travelled across the Atlantic to visit. They spent nearly three weeks in Europe and revisited many of the places where Frank had been during the war.

Frank was a strong and dedicated family man. He will be greatly missed and frequently remembered by the many people who loved him.

Frank died on December 25, 2004 and spent his first Christmas in his eternal home after a courageous battle with Congestive Heart Failure. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Clarence. Frank is survived by his wife of 57 years, Alene; children, Barbara (Paul) O’Neill, David Weidman, and Timothy (Michelle) Weidman; grandchildren, Amy (Philip) Heintzelman, Scott (Tanya) Laraway, and Brittany, Ashley, and Megan Weidman; and 6 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters, Ila (Jim) Friar and Vicki (Vern) Deiters; sisters-in-law, Dae Weidman, Bernice (George) Seabert, Gen (Don) Gunneson, and Joyce (Don) Creswell; brother-in-law, John (Helen) Sweers; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services will be held on Wednesday at 11 A.M. at Trinity Reformed Church, 1224 Davis N.W. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Friends may meet the family this evening from 7-9 P.M. and Tuesday from 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. N.W.. Please visit Frank's webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or to make a Memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or Trinity Reformed Church Memorial Fund.