Frank C Wilson Obituary

Frank Conrad Wilson, age 92, passed away June 7th 2025, of natural causes. He was born April 4th 1933 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Harrison and Catherine Wilson. At 18, Frank joined the United States Air Force, serving in England from 1951 to 1955 as a supply sergeant. After the service, Frank returned to Michigan and became a park ranger at Ludington and Cheboygan State Parks. At Ludington State Park he met the love of his life Marlene (De Valle) Wilson. They were joined together in marriage in 1958 and had an awe inspiring 64 years of marriage together. Frank and Marlene settled down in Kalamazoo, MI and raised two children, daughter Tracy Wilson-McFletcher and son Kort Wilson. Frank worked a number of jobs to support his family including as a firefighter for the Kalamazoo Fire Department. He took pride in and worked most of his career at the Upjohn Corporation, in charge of the stock room for the labs in Building 41.

He retired in the late 1980s. A good husband, a good father and a doting grandfather, Frank was a thoughtful, gentle and kind man who was always eager to talk with people and be a friendly face to those around him. Frank and his wife Marlene enjoyed taking road trips to Centreville, South Haven, Shipsheswana and the Upper Peninsula. Frank liked tinkering in his basement workshop, feeding birds and squirrels in the backyard, reading the newspaper, going for walks, and taking afternoon naps. In retirement where Frank spent most of his time was sitting on his front porch watching life around him. He enjoyed making his grandchildren breakfast (french toast with powdered sugar & cinnamon was especially a favorite) and he would drive his grandchildren to school from Kalamazoo to Galesburg every weekday. Frank was especially devoted to his wife Marlene and as they grew older together, their love was known by all that knew them. He sorely missed her after she passed away. He will be missed by his children and grandchildren. Frank is preceded in death by his wife Marlene, his parents Hrrison and Katherine, siblings Jack, Margarette, Ben, grandson Ryan, and son-in-law Amell McFletcher. He is survived by his children, Tracy Wilson-McFletcher and Kort Wilson; grandchildren Justin (Rebecca) Lesman, Blake Wilson, and Hayley (Colette) Wilson; and great grandchild, Natalie Lesman.