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<img class="size-medium wp-image-1429446" src="http://www.dailyjournal.net/wp-content/files/sites/9/2020/05/webPhoto636607.jpg" alt="Frank Ray Hommel" width="240" /><img class="size-full wp-image-1429446" src="http://www.dailyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/04/americanflag.jpg" alt="emblem" />Frank Ray Hommel
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GREENWOOD
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Frank Ray Hommel, 89, of Greenwood, passed away Wednesday on May 20, 2020 at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis. Frank was hoping the outpatient heart stent would give him more energy to shoot some hoops, sing while playing his guitar and spend more time with his beloved Betty – God instead called him home and gave him eternal energy and life.
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Frank was born in Marion County, IN to Ralph and Florence (Lambert) Hommel on January 22, 1931. He graduated from Union Township School in Franklin and attended Franklin College before serving in Germany during the Korean Conflict and being a United States Army Veteran who served in the Army 101st Airborne Division. He worked as a lab technician for Eli Lilly & Company for forty years.
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Frank married the love of his life, Betty Jane Kirch on June 1, 1955. Baptized into the Catholic Church in 1969, Frank was a member of Our Lady of Greenwood Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. A musician since he was eight-years-old, he played music around the central Indiana area for nearly eight decades, including Guitar Masses at OLG, Ragtime music at Boggstown Inn, Festivals, Square Dances, Senior Living Communities and New Year’s Eve parties. He brought joy and music having learned to play the piano, guitar and banjo by ear. Left-handed, but also ambidextrous, Frank earned a bazillion trophies in any sport he picked up – horseshoes, table tennis, basketball, softball – he was a gracious and formidable competitor. In addition, he coached, ref’ed and umpired many sports, subsequently mentoring many youth and adults. He also regularly tackled cross-words puzzles with a pen.
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His mother use to refer to her eldest son Frank as the "Ambassador of the family", as he delivered joy, laughter, and fun.
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He did not win a Grammy, although he was musically gifted and had lots of Johnson County fans.
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He wasn’t a famous athlete, although he was pretty well known around these parts for helping Union Township High School win two back to back county basketball championships – and famous for his Hommel left handed hookshot. He wasn’t a larger-than-life actor or showman, but what he did was ‘show up’ at weddings to dance, Sunday’s to church and play music, and at his kids and grandkids concerts and ballgames.
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Frank is survived by his beloved wife Betty Jane (Kirch) Hommel of Greenwood.. His joy-giving, storytelling life will forever be cherished in the lives of his children: Leta Hommel of Lexington, KY, Debbie Hommel-Wood (David), Janet Hommel Mangas (Steven), Kevin Hommel, Jerri Hornaday (Russ) all of Greenwood, IN, David Hommel (Julia) of Martinsville, IN, Chris Hommel (Amanda) of Greenwood, IN, eighteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren,
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brothers Steve Hommel, Joe Hommel (Judy), Mike Hommel, and Tim Hommel , all of Franklin, IN and sisters Joan Funk (Don) of Brazil, IN, Sandy Watson (Floyd) of Trafalgar, Janet Olivo (John) of Bargersville. In addition to a blessing load of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
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Frank was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Florence Hommel, brother Don G. Hommel, and sisters Shirley Neumann and Betty Hatfield.
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Father Todd Goodson of Our Lady of The Greenwood Catholic Church and Frank’s daughter Janet Hommel-Mangas and son in law Steven Mangas will conduct a service on Saturday May 23, 2020 at 1:30 PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and also where the service will be live-streamed and friends may connect at <a href="http://www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/frank-hommel">www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/frank-hommel</a>. Visitation will be Saturday, May 23, 2020 from 10AM till service time at the mortuary. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, mask and social distancing must be followed. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood, IN with military honors conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard.
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Pallbearers will be his seven children who are honored to carry him as he carried and guided them throughout their lives: Leta Hommel, Debbie Hommel-Wood, Janet Hommel Mangas, Kevin Hommel, Jerri Hornaday, David Hommel and Chris Hommel.
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The family request memorial contributions be made to the Johnson County 4-H Fair attention: horse shoe area in memory of Frank Hommel, 250 Fair Grounds Street, Franklin, IN, 46131, or can be given at the mortuary and please make checks payable to the Johnson County 4-H Fair.
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The family of Frank Hommel wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Bob Klassen and family and friends who have surrounded us over the years.
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Frank’s last wish was to celebrate his 65th wedding anniversary with Betty on June 1st – Happy Anniversary Frank and Betty!
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Online condolences may be sent to the family at <a href="http://www.swartzmortuary.com">www.swartzmortuary.com</a>. Information 317-738-0202.
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