MOUNT VERNON — Frank W. Kassner, 97, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 1:22 pm May 31, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon surrounded by his loving family.
He was born January 6, 1926, in Saline County, Illinois to the late Herman and Grace (Pickering) Kassner. Frank married Sarah Ione (Midgett) Kassner on May 9, 1953, in Flat Rock, Illinois. They just celebrated their 70th year of marriage.
In addition to his beloved wife, Frank is survived by his son, David Lee Kassner and wife, Jennifer of Mount Vernon; daughter, Karen Kassner of Leawood, Kansas; granddaughters, Carol Johnson of Fairfield, Illinois and Candy Stock and husband, J.D. of Evansville, Indiana; sister, Colleen Edmondson of Carrier Mills, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his siblings, Herman Kassner, Pauline Butler, Wilma Banevich, and Ruth Kassner.
Frank proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II in two different theaters: Germany and the Philippines. He served in the Battle of the Bulge. Frank earned his bachelor’s Degree in Education from SIU Carbondale. He went on to earn his Masters’s Degree from the University of New Mexico and Purdue. He did extended work at the University of Michigan. Teaching was Frank’s passion. He taught at Mount Vernon Township High School for 32 years, where he served as the head of the Math department. He was a member of the Jefferson County Educators Association, Illinois Education Association, and Carrier Mills Masonic Lodge #456 AF and AM. Frank was also a member of Logan Street Baptist Church. He loved gardening and could often be found tending to his roses. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Frank will be missed, not only by his family and friends but also by the students and colleagues he made an impact on over the years.
A Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 6, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 pm with Brother Alan Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. Full Military Honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the American Legion Post #141.
For those who wish, memorials may be made in Frank’s honor to Logan Street Baptist Church. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.