Frank Neal Savage passed away peacefully on July 29 after a long and meaningful life of 101 years. As a member of the “Greatest Generation,” Frank’s life was dedicated to his faith in God, his family, his parish, his community, and his country.
Frank was born June 16, 1921, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he lived his entire life; leaving only during his service in World War II. At the age of 16, during the 1937 flood, Frank volunteered to fill sand bags at the levee and delivered food via row boat to people trapped by the floodwaters.
Frank was a life-long member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. As a child, he served as an altar boy and crossing guard for St. Lawrence School. As an adult, he served as School Board President, Finance Committee Chair, Scout Master, and Parish Maintenance Coordinator. In 1972, he was in the first group of lay ministers of the Eucharist and in 1990 was named the Knights of Columbus Outstanding Layman of the Year.
At the age of 17, Frank enrolled the Citizens Military Training Corps at Ft. Benjamin Harrison and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, reported for activity duty in 1942 as a second lieutenant U.S. Army Infantry. Starting in 1944, he served overseas on Morotai Island near New Guinea and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. After being separated from active duty in 1946, Frank served in the Army Reserves until 1962, retiring with the rank of major. He traveled on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2017 and visited the WWII National Museum in New Orleans in 2019.
Frank retired in 1986 after 31 years at the Fernald Uranium Processing Facility. Prior to that, he worked 15 years at Schenley Distillers. After retirement, Frank served on the board of directors of the Society of Indiana Pioneers as well as the Dearborn County Historical Society.
Frank enjoyed golf for many years, playing his last round at the age of 95. After that, he took up bowling. Late in life, Frank became an artist and poet. He made many miniature motorized cars and trucks out of scraps. On holidays, he used these vehicles to “deliver” cards, candy, and money to his loved ones. His artwork was put on display at the Lawrenceburg Public Library.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (Walser) his companion of 60 years, his parents Margaret and Neal, and his siblings Paul and Margaret. He is survived by his five sons John (Attleboro, Massachusetts), Patrick (Lawrenceburg, Indiana), Philip (Lawrenceburg, Indiana), David (Houston, Texas), and James (West Chester, Ohio) and 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by little brothers Robert and Thomas of Lawrenceburg and Richard of Laguna Woods, California.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Donna Hohman of Bright, Indiana, who was a caregiver and friend to Frank and Ruth for many years.
Frank donated his body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug, 17, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fitch-Denney Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at Fitch-Denney Funeral Home, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., with Father Daniel Mahan officiating. Once his remains are returned, a full military funeral will be scheduled.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Loving Hearts Hospice, Bright, Indiana, or to the South Dearborn Dollars for Scholars Patrick Savage Scholarship.
