Frank Bruce Kenchel

Frank Bruce Kenchel. Born September 17, 1924 and died on his 97th birthday, September 17, 2021. In between, Frank led a very full life. He was raised on the family farm outside Pittsburgh, PA. Frank was the oldest of three boys who grew up as children of the depression. As so many of that generation, that experience of living through the depression shaped much of his later life. Frank married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise and they had 5 children. Leaving the farm he worked on the railroad as a fireman on a steam locomotive. Realizing that those jobs were being phased out, he went back to school and trained to become an aircraft mechanic. There were a number of opportunities for work in his new profession and he chose to join Ozark Airlines based in St. Louis. He packed up the family and in 1959 they moved to their new home in O'Fallon. That house was the family home until Frank needed to move into Twin Oaks, an assisted living facility, in 2018. During those 59 years in the same house so many memories were made. They raised four children there. Unfortunately Frank and Mary Louise lost their 1st born at the age of 3. Frank loved to travel and the family enjoyed long vacations every summer, initially in a pickup camper and then as the family grew, an Airstream trailer. To say that Frank was a DIYer would be an understatement. As a child of the depression Frank was inclined to save everything he could. If it broke, he was going to fix it. If there was not a part to fix it, he fabricated a new one. If he could make it rather than buy it, he would. He was always tinkering. His job as an aircraft mechanic grew into a love of anything about airplanes, and he really enjoyed going to air shows and aviation museums. Frank was lucky enough to retire from Ozark at age 62 (just before Ozark was acquired and broken up by TWA). He stayed close friends to many of the Ozark retirees and enjoyed the social gatherings that the 'Silver Swallows' had. Frank's Mary Louise died in 2014 and Frank was able to stay in the family home until the move to Twin Oaks. Frank made the adjustment to the new home and really enjoyed the the fellowship with the other residents. It was, though, in those years that the 'cantankerous old man' personality really came through. He reveled in showing his independence to family. Frank was active and engaged right up until the end. He lived a very full 97 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be missed by his family and friends.

Frank is survived by his children, Martin F. (Mary) Kenchel, Cindy L. (Allan) Davis, Marilyn G. (Robert) Leapley and Sandra B. (Bruce) Mills; his grandchildren, Meghan (Collin) Reynolds, Jennifer (Brendan) Black, Kelly Davis, Shannon (James) Hodges, Nick (Kirsten) Leapley, Megan Carter, Larry (Ginger) Kenchel, Matthew (Lisa) Kenchel, Lori Maher and Mike King; his great-grandchildren, Colin Hodges, Patrick Hodges, Christopher Hodges, Piper Hodges, Snow Leapley, Brecon Leapley, Eirawen Leapley, Nolan Reynolds, Paxton Reynolds, Paige Kenchel, Lilly Kenchel and Maggie Maher; and his brother, Robert Kenchel. He will be dearly missed by many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Kenchel; his daughter, Marylee Kenchel; his granddaughter, Lisa King; his parents, Frank and Letha Kenchel; his brother, Paul Kenchel; and his sister-in-law, Donna Kenchel.

Visitation will be from 9:30 am until 10:30 am with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 am, both on Friday, October 1, 2021 at Living Lord Lutheran Church, 500 Cedar Cir Dr, Lake St Louis, MO 63367. Interment will follow the service at Saint Charles Memorial Gardens.

For the safety of the Kenchel family and their guests, face coverings are requested for all funeral events.

Memorial Contributions in Frank's name may be made out to the Salvation Army online at: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/

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