Hal Franck

Weldon "Hal" Franck, 84, passed away in Vancouver, Wash., on Oct. 2, 2012, following a long illness.

He was born March 21, 1928, in Tobias, Neb.

The family lived in Dallas, Ore., before moving to Portland where Hal graduated from Franklin High School.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1945 where he served in the World War II Occupation Force in Germany and two combat tours in Korea. He retired from the military in 1966, but remained a devoted supporter of the military and veterans community for the rest of his life.

After a 16-year career as a sales representative for a children's clothing manufacturer, he moved to Mountain Home, Idaho, where he actively served the military community for many years.

He was a fundraiser and legislative coordinator for veterans benefits at the state and national level. He was the Retiree Activities Director at Mountain Home Air Force Base for five years and volunteered many hours at the hospital there and at the Boise Veterans Home. He received the Mountain Home Air Force Base Angel Volunteer of the Year award in 1995.

Hal founded and managed Base Benefit Bingo for 17 years. They raised substantial funds for MHAFB squadrons and Mountain Home charities.

He was a life member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 101 in Mountain Home, where they honored him by dedicating the "Hal Franck Room" in 2010. He was also a life member of the VFW and 40 et Eight.

Hal enjoyed playing pinochle and poker, raising tomatoes, shooting pool and cooking barbecued ribs to be enjoyed by family and friends.

In 2011, Hal moved to Vancouver, Wash., to be closer to his family.

He is survived by: his wife, Connie; son Weldon; daughter Veronica Tacheron and her husband, Guy; stepson Dale DeFord; stepdaughter Dani Wisner and her husband, Dan; brother Clair Franck; sister Norma Mosbrucker and her husband, Ray; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Anton and Helen Franck; two sons, Rodney Gerard Franck and Lonnie Michael Franck; two brothers, Robert and Ronald Franck; and a sister, Marlys Dienstel.

A graveside service was held Oct. 11 at Vancouver Barracks Post Cemetery.