Visitation will be Monday, December 12, 2022 for 94-year-old Franklin Wayne Myers Sr. who passed away November 25, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Festus, Mo.
He was born October 21, 1928 in Collier Township, Penn.
He is survived by: his loving wife of 64 years: Shirley Jean Henderson Myers, whom he married May 30, 1958; his children: Karen Myers (Johnson-Budd), Franklin Wayne Myers Jr. (Jane Bauman), Lawrence H. Myers, and Karl H. Myers (Kelly Faerber); his grandchildren: Jonathan (Amanda Bass) Myers, Quentin Reid Johnson, Katherine A. Johnson, Rachel E. Myers, Grace C Myers, Atwell J. Myers; his great grandchild: Claire G. Myers.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Lawrence and Myra (Kress) Myers, brothers: John, Alfred, Harry, and Lawrence, and his sister: Nancy Tolan.
Frank received his BS in Agricultural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1955.
He completed Squadron Officer School April in 1961, Flexible Pavement Maintenance Course in 1962, Photographic Terrain Analysis Course in 1969, Executive Engineering Course in 1971, Environmental Protection Course in 1972, earned his Masters in Business Administration from George Washington in 1974, Senior Professional Military Education at Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1973 and his Masters in Education from Boston University in 1977.
During Frank’s years of military service: 1955-1982 he retired with a rank of Lt. Colonel with the United States Air Force.
He received a commission in the USAF in 1955 as a Second Lt. His tours of duty include, Syracuse N.Y. in 1957, Saglek Air Station Labrador USAF 924th AC&W Squadron in 1958-1959, Mather Air Base, Sacramento, CA in 1959-1962, Prestwick Air Base, Prestwick Scotland in 1962-1965, Westover Air Force Base, Springfield MA in 1965-1967, Saigon, Vietnam in 1967-1968, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in 1969-1973, N.A.T.O, Naples Italy in 1974-1977, Scott Air Force Base in 1977-retirement.
The medals Frank held at retirement are, Bronze star, Meritorious Service Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Service Stars, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Service with “Palm” Device, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
During Frank’s time in Ste. Genevieve some of his highpoints include: in 1981 completing the restoration of Josiah Millard home, working to preserve, protect and restore several buildings in Ste Genevieve including the Anton Kempf building, the Guibourd-Valle house, the 1875 County Jail, and many more; leading the first efforts to restore Memorial Cemetery including headstone repairs, installation of fencing, and grounds cleanup and authoring the Great River Roads project grant which led to Ste Genevieve being awarded over $1M for the installation of new sidewalks and street lighting downtown and the construction of the Ste Genevieve Welcome Center.
Frank served on the City of Ste Genevieve Planning and Zoning Commission, the Comprehensive Planning Committee, the Board of Aldermen and was a member of the Ste Genevieve Heritage Commission for 32 years.
He was an early supporter of the Urban Design Levee in order to protect historic Ste Genevieve and served on the Levee District 3 for 13 years.
His 40+ years of dedication to the historic preservation of Ste Genevieve played a large part in the establishment of the Ste Genevieve National Historical Park.
He received the Mathews Foundation Memorial Award for the pioneering role played in the historic preservation of Ste Genevieve December 10, 1983.
He received the Foundation for Restoration of Ste Genevieve 2008 Distinguished Service Award for his long-standing service to the Foundation, serving on the board, holding office, and chairing committees.
Frank received the Foundation for Restoration of Ste Genevieve 2018 Distinguished Service Award for his civic leadership and over 40 years of spearheading the preservation and restoration of Ste Genevieve.
There will be a visitation at Basler Funeral Home, Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Monday December 12, 2022 from 2-5:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Online condolences may be left at www.baslerfuneralhome.com