Franklin D. Kendrick Obituary
Franklin "Frank" D. Kendrick of Benton Harbor, passed away on August 2, 2024, at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman, Michigan at the age of 90. He joins his beloved wife of 57 years, Marie "Dole" Kendrick (née Tilley), his parents, William and Goldie Kendrick, and his siblings, John Kendrick, Paul Kendrick, Katherine Bachorski, and Ruth McCoy.
Frank is survived by his loving children, Bill (Beth) Kendrick, Ann (Dave) Tillman, and Tricia (Joe) Carson. He was a cherished grandfather to Joe Tillman, Andrea (Mike) Ruggles, Amanda Peets, and Riley Peets, and was excited about the arrival of his great-grandson Ruggles, due in September. He will also be remembered by his sister-in-law, Betty Owsley, along with many nieces and nephews.
Born on June 17, 1934, in Glo, Kentucky, Frank graduated from Wayland High School in 1952. He served honorably in the United States Air Force as a Radio Repairman stationed in Goose Bay, Newfoundland, Canada where he met his wife, Marie. They married on February 27, 1960, in St. John's, Newfoundland. Following his military service, he worked as a lineman installing cable television across Appalachian Kentucky. In 1964, he moved his family to Michigan to join Heath/Zenith Corp, where he started as an electronics technician and was soon Lead Technician. Promoted to Technical Writer in 1974, he led a team tasked with writing service manuals with detailed schematics to train technicians to build and repair products, from robots to computers to "Heath-kits." He enjoyed 28 years of building, troubleshooting and writing about electronics. After early retirement from Zenith, he went to Lake Michigan College to study Computer-Aided Drafting and Design and graduated in 1996. Later working at WCCS he enjoyed creating detailed CAD models and drawings of Whirlpool parts and packaging until his retirement.
A talented bluegrass musician, Frank was self-taught on the guitar, mandolin, five-string banjo, and fiddle. He delighted in singing harmonies and came alive when playing music for his family. Beyond music, he was a voracious reader. He enjoyed solving logic puzzles, and tinkering.
His family remember him as a strong and quiet soul, devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Frank will be laid to rest alongside his beloved wife, Marie, at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph, Michigan, on Sunday. The family is being assisted by Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Franklin D. Kendrick.
