Mack, Frank Wesley 1881-1934

MACK, STAKEMILLER, SCOFIELD

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 5/20/2016 at 11:43:04

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - Feb 1, 1934 - Funeral services for Frank W Mack, who died at his home Sunday morning following an extended illness, were held from the home Tuesday afternoon and from Lakeside Presbyterian church. The funeral was attended by a large crowd.

Those attending included about 75 employees of the Iowa Public Service Company from various points. Mr Mack was an employee of the company for a number of years. Military funeral services were held at the local cemetery, where Mr Mack was tenderly laid to rest.

Frank Wesley Mack was born in Storm Lake Oct 23, 1881, the fourth child of Mr and Mrs Edgar E Mack. He was graduated from the Storm Lake High school in 1901, the following year in the commerce department of Buena Vista college, and later from Iowa State college at Ames in an electrical engineering course, receiving his degree there in 1907.

On Oct 29, 1908 he was married to Miss Florence Stakemiller at Ida Grove, taking his bride to their home at Hawarden, where he then took charge of the municipal light and water plant there. They moved to Ida Grove in April 1910, where he took charge of the municipal work there for about one year. In the spring of 1911 they came back to Storm Lake at which time he took charge of the Storm Lake electric light plant, then the property of his father. He continued in charge until entering military service.

Mr Mack enlisted Aug 27, 1917 in the military service of the US being in the officers training camp at Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, MN, being later transferred to the ordinance department at Fortress Monroe, VA. Then a few weeks at Washington, D.C. and in Dec 1917 transferred to the chemical warfare service with headquarters at Edgewood arsenal near Baltimore, MD, where with the rank of major, he was placed in charge of the construction of building and machinery for the entire arsenal and later in manufacture of gas warfare material. On March 20, 1919 he was honorable discharged with the rank of major.

That spring about May 1, 1919, he together with his brother Guy, purchased the Manson light plant and the family removing there that summer where they lived until the fall of 1925. On the sale of the Manson property, Mr Mack returned to Storm Lake, where the family have resided since.

In Dec 1923, Mr Mack was taken with pneumonia and operation becoming necessary from which he never recovered. For about 3 years he unable to return to his work. His work in about 1925 took him into municipal construction work as a consulting engineer in the city light and water plants. In the summer of 1930 he entered the employ of the Iowa Public Service Company doing advisory and consulting engineering work.

Left to mourn his death are his wife, Florence L and the 5 children: Virginia Ellen Scofield, Marjorie Elizabeth, Grace Edna, Florence Beatrice, and Frank Coverly; and his grand daughter, Jacqueline Jean Scofield; son-in-law David Scofield; also Mr Macks sister, Beatrice J Mack of Omaha, NE; and brothers: Burt M Mack of South Bend, IN and Guy E Mack of Storm Lake.

One of the recent bright spots in Mr Macks life was the 25th anniversary of their wedding, the children surprising their parents with special recognition and entertainment last October.

During the past year Mr Macks health has been steadily declining. He was confined to his bed since about the first of November and his death from cancer occurred at his home at 213 East Third street Sunday.