ROBERT DALE FRANTZ

Dale Robert Frantz, affectionately known as "Peach" to his immediate family, was born in Pittsburgh PA to Walter and Mary Yeager Frantz on March 11, 1959. Growing up in Sandy Lake, Pa, Dale attended Lakeview School District schools graduating in 1977. Dale worked several years as a manager at Perkins restaurants in Grove City and Greenville, PA before joining the Greenville Steel Car Company in Greenville PA. Greenville Steel Car Company's relocation to Bessemer, AL as Trinity Industries provided Dale the opportunity to move to Hueytown, AL. Dale continued working with the Trinity Bessemer plant until it, eventually, closed. Fond of the southern climate, Dale remained firmly planted in his "sweet home Alabama" finding work in construction and landscaping. While still at home in PA, Dale enlisted with the PA Army National Guard in 1984 where he joined the Franklin, Pa 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division. Subsequently, after relocating to Alabama, Dale was called for active combat duty during the First Gulf War where, based in Saudi Arabia, he served with the in Iraq. His old fatigues, with a military patch for Pennsylvania and a second for Alabama, are a reminder that he proudly represented his home state of PA and his new home state of AL in his role as soldier. Dale enjoyed working outdoors, creating, remodeling, building, constructing; he understood mechanics which allowed him to work on his own vehicles if he chose. He was forever considering if there was a better way to set up an operation or build an object that made it a more productive or efficient piece. And then, he would build or repair it. He loved to be helpful to his friends, neighbors and family. He cherished the time his friends and family spent with him; they found him intelligent, considerate and a fun sense of humor. The logical thinking, dignity and strength of a soldier saw Peach through his battle with cancer. On December 11, 2015, Peach escaped his earthly body for the spiritual life everlasting. Mourning his passing are his father, Walter Frantz of Bessemer, AL, his only son, Andrew Frantz and his former wife, Karen Dicks Frantz of Mercer, PA, his older sister, Karen Frantz Vanco (Tom) of Edinboro, PA and his younger sister, Laureen Frantz Wheaton (Ron) of Maricopa, AZ. He leaves his nephew Tyler Wheaton (Brittany) In TX and, in PA, his niece Michelle Huels Rauscher, and his nephew Parker Wheaton. Also in PA are his great nieces Lyric and Savannah Rauscher and Madison Wheaton. Around the country, Dale leaves an aunt, uncle and many cousins. Dale was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Frantz and mother Mary Yeager Frantz. Services by Peoples Chapel Funeral Home, Hueytown will be followed by interment to be held, at the convenience of the family, in the spring 2016, at Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake, PA.

ROBERT DALE FRANTZ

December 12, 2015