Frank R. Morse

Frank R. Morse, 100, of Rossville, IL, passed away at 5:20 A.M. on Sunday, August 1, 2021. He was born January 10, 1921, in Shelby County, IL, the son of Robert E. and Leta L. Morse. On December 3, 1943, Frank married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Wright in Charleston, IL. They spent 46 wonderful years together before her passing in June of 1989.

Frank is survived by his son, James (Jackie) Morse of Danville; daughter, Karel Volpert of Bismarck; grandchildren, Dr. James R. (Tammy) Morse II of Peoria, IL, Josie (Chanc) Persons of Rossville, IL, Jannah (Geoffrey) Coon of Ogden, IL, Andrew (Leigh) Volpert of Springfield, IL, Timothy Volpert of Morton, IL, and Mary (Clint) McCool of Hoopeston, IL; great-grandchildren, Tyler (Lindsey) Morse, Madison Morse, Alex Morse, Andrew (Megan) Savage, Thomas Savage, Mason Coon, Aiden Coon, Mia Volpert, Mavis Volpert, Brandon Volpert, Benjamin Volpert, Murphy McCool, and Maya McCool; brothers, Richard and Dennis Morse.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Leta; wife, Mary Ellen; brother, Kenneth Morse; sisters, Maxine Blair, and Marlene Gaston; and son-in-law, Phil Volpert.

Frank graduated from Findlay High School in 1938 before attending Eastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 15, 1942, where he worked as an aerographer’s mate on the U.S.S. Baxter before being honorably discharged on November 2, 1945. Later in life Frank had the opportunity to visit the memorials in Washington D.C. with the Central Illinois Honor Flight.

Frank taught at Oakland High School for 2 years before becoming the Principal at Oakland Grade School for 4 years. He then became the Principal at Alvin Grade School for 16 years before becoming the Principal at Rossville-Alvin Grade School for 6 years where he also taught for an additional 6 years. Teaching was Frank’s passion and after retirement he continued to volunteer at the Rossville-Alvin Schools.

Frank was a member of the Rossville United Methodist Church, Gideons, Rossville American Legion, the Vermilion County Retired Teachers Association, and the Rossville Historical Society. He served 20 years as the Ross Township Clerk and handled bookkeeping for the Hoopeston Multi-Agency Board.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of Frank’s caregiver girls that have taken excellent care of him over the years.

Visitation will be held 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday, August 5, 2021, at The Rossville United Methodist Church 116 Maple Street Rossville, IL 60963. The funeral service will begin at 11 A.M. on Friday, August 6, 2021, at the Rossville United Methodist Church with Pastor Chris Quick officiating. Burial will follow at Mann’s Chapel Cemetery in Rossville. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834 is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made in Frank’s name to the Rossville-Alvin Grade School or the Rossville United Methodist Church.

Please join Frank’s family in sharing memories or photos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

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