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Obituary: Franklin Joseph Stvan

March 3, 1922 ~ March 4, 2022

Franklin Joseph Stvan, age 100 and one day, died peacefully at Good Samaritan Society – Scandia Village in Sister Bay.

Frank was born in Cleveland, Ohio, son of the late Arnost and Stella (Vancata) Stvan. He attended East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio and majored in electricity for two and a half years. On July 27, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged on December 16, 1945. He served six months as an Electricians Mate 1st Class EMIC on the Destroyer USS HALFORD DD480 and two years on the Navy Hospital Ship, the USS SAMARITAN. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and American Area Asiatic Pacific 4 Stars.

Upon returning home from active duty, he was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago.  Frank married the love of his life, Joyce Marilynn Lewis, in Milwaukee on August 1, 1945. Frank and Joyce were married 73 years with Joyce preceding Frank in death on January 4, 2018. The couple lived and worked in the Milwaukee area in Greenfield. Frank worked for the Wisconsin Telephone Company, retiring in 1982, and moving to Highview Road in Ellison Bay. 

Frank was an active member of VFW Post 8337 of Ellison Bay and American Legion Billy Weis Post 527 of Sister Bay. He was a member of Stella Maris Catholic Church, an avid wood carver, gardener, and backyard birder.

Frank is survived by his close and dear friends, Ron and Ann Lang of Ellison Bay; nieces, Barbara Horn of Bethesda, MD, Joanne (Al) Gordon of Millcreek, UT, and Carolynn (Doug) Wilson of Roswell, GA; nephew, Robert Fischer of Ohio; and close friend, David Ruby of Gaylord, MI.

Preceding Frank in death are his wife, Joyce; in-laws, Leo and Mable Lewis; his parents, Arnost and Stella Stvan; twin sisters, Sylvia Fischer and Lillian Moytka; his dog, Cricket; and cat, Misty.

A special thank you to the wonderful and loving staff at Good Samaritan Society – Scandia Village and Unity Hospice. Frank thought the world of all of you.

Frank’s life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Stella Maris Parish – Sister Bay site at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Thomas Farrell officiating. Full military honors will be performed by the VFW Post 8337, American Legion Post 527, and the United States Navy. He will be laid to rest in St. Rosalia Catholic Cemetery.

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Sister Bay is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Frank may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.