John Edward Frank

John Edward Frank passed away peacefully after a few days in the hospital on June 14, 2026. He will be greatly missed by an enormous family and many friends.

Born to Gustof and Anna Frank on September 29, 1950, John was the youngest of six siblings. He grew up playing kick-the-can and riding bikes with neighbors, relatives, and friends in Coloma, Michigan. When he was in sixth grade, the family moved to nearby Hartford, where he made lifelong friends, worked at Harding’s, and volunteered on the fire department.

In his senior year at Hartford HS, John met Joan Field, who traveled from Lawrence to take physics class. They dated throughout college years at Southwestern Michigan College and Michigan State University. Throughout this time, John spent several summers in Alaska building cabinets, hunting, and fishing with his brother.

John and Joan married in 1974, just before joining the Peace Corps, where he planned and set up freshwater fish hatcheries in rural Philippines. Friends there became family and stayed in contact since. After two years of service, the couple traveled to several countries, cementing a lifelong yearning for travel before returning to Michigan.

John found a love for surveying and decided to return to MSU to study civil engineering. He worked with road building in Lenawee County before returning to Van Buren County Road Commission in 1984. He took great pride in his work there until his retirement in 2009.

During this time, John also dove headfirst into family life, raising his children, Katie and Ben, with many road trips and camping adventures. He instilled in his children his passions for seeking new knowledge, craftsmanship, and outdoor adventure. John also delighted in feeding his loved ones, whether that meant making waffles, battling for the check at restaurants, or bringing pans of his famous rolls to holidays. He was beloved by at least a hundred nieces, nephews, and siblings on all sides of his family and Joan’s.

Later in retirement, John continued to travel with his family and friends, eventually visiting all 50 states. He especially loved journeying north of the Mackinac Bridge and taking his grandsons, Emmett and Rowan, on road trips to his favorite spots.

Arrangements have been made for Saturday June 20, 2026. Join the family for a visitation and snacks from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Paw Paw, MI.

Memorial contributions in memory of John may be directed to the Van Buren County Youth Camp, 12370 45th Street, Bloomingdale, MI 49026.