Christian Louis Gerard Frohnert
Christian Louis Gerard Frohnert, age 99, of Brownsville, Pa., died peacefully on Friday, November 1, 2002, in the Brownsville General Hospital. He was born on May 21, 1903, in Connellsville, Pa., son of Louis Albert Emil and Auguste Matthee Frohnert.
Until his passing Mr. Frohnert was an active member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. His life reflected his faith throughout his years.
He took a sincere interest in gardening flowers. He was an avid reader and loved his animals.
Family and Friends mourn the loss of this wise and infinitely kind man!
In 1892 his immediate family settled in Connellsville, Pa., and later established a farm in Reagantown, Pa.
In the early 1900s, the very young Mr. Frohnert was first employed by the Boitz-Porter Company’s Foundry in Connellsville. Thereafter, he worked and studied as a Machinists Apprentice at Fairmont Mining Machinery Company, Fairmont, West Virginia.
Returning to Fayette County in the early 1920s, he began a career as a Master Machinist for the Hillman Coal and Coke Company at Hillman Barge in Brownsville and the Alicia Marine Ways. His work echoed his personal creativity and sound ethics and he was well regarded by his superiors and his peers.
In 1926 he registered a U.S. Patent for improvements he designed for the centrifugal pump.
He was a member of United Mine Workers Local 9935 until his retirement.
He was a lifetime member of the Nixon Gun Club in Luzerne Township.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Helen Miller Frohnert, a daughter, Barbara Louise Apone, brothers, Albert, Emil, Theodore and Walter, sisters, Anna M. Lewis, Bertha L. Anderson, Clara A. Hostetler, grandsons, Louis Gerard Wheeler and Louis Wilson Apone, great grandson, Joseph A. Sabec, and his parents.
He is survived by his devoted daughter and son-in-law, Dolores and Raymond E. Howe, Brownsville, Pa.; grandchildren: Lori Graham, Tad Wheeler, Hilary Hostetler, Rod Wheeler, and Karla Sabec all of the local area, Thomas Apone, Sharon, Massachusetts, Jacqueline Apone and Jilda Apone both of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Cynthia Deermount, Upper Montclair, New Jersey; 14 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews and their extended families.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 9, at 10 a.m. in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, Pa., with the Rev. Gail E. Mason officiating.
Private interment will follow.
In lieu of flowers it is suggested that those who wish contribute to their own preferred charity in memory of Christian Louis Gerard Frohnert.