Francis Warnement

Francis J. Warnement January 9, 1934 - September 4, 2012 Francis Frank or Fran grew up in Plainwell, Michigan a farming community outside Kalamazoo. Predeceased by his parents, Albert H. and Yvonne Warnement, as well as his younger brother, Edward Warnement, Sebastian, FL. He is survived by siblings: Joan Boniface of Delton, MI; Bernard Vivian Warnement of Plainwell, MI; Louise Bruce Gates also of Plainwell; Albert Sally Warnement of Sturgis, MI; and Paul Warnement of Delton, MI. He will be dearly missed by his 27 nieces and nephews and myriads of friends. Frank's eldest sister, Joan, recalls him as bright and precocious in the right way. He got a kick out of antique cars and always seemed to have a snazy Lincoln Mark V. He spent long hours tearing down and rebuilding a 1929 Ford Model A. On one occasion I recall, in 1968, he chauffered his niece, Christine, and her groom on their wedding day. Everyone chuckled at the sticker on the window of the gorgeous car displaying a sleak nude female silhouette and warning: "Don't lean on this car, unless your naked." Louise remembers a young Francis as hard-working, fun-loving and good-natured. "Fran had a paper route and got up at an ungodly hour to deliver those papers. But he bought himself a bright, shiny new bicycle. She recalls, "He wasn't the top of his class, but was well-liked. He always had lots of friends." Francis graduated from Plainwell High School in 1951. He studied Language and History at Western Michigan University earning a Bachelors degree, then received his Masters from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Frank traveled abroad to enrich his knowledge of French and History through post-graduate work at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. His first teaching position was at a junior high school in Cleveland, Ohio. He soon transferred to Shaker Heights Schools where he taught French and History for 28 years. During his tenure, Frank served as Foreign Language Department Chair for French, Spanish, Ancient Greek, Latin and German. He was later promoted to District Coordinator for Languages for all Shaker Heights Schools K-12. Through those 28 years, Frank was well-liked as a teacher and is warmly remembered by both students and colleagues. Several became life-long friends. Bob Johnson recalls, after purchasing a circa 1924 house, he and Frank rolled up their sleeves and spent an entire summer gutting, remodeling and decorating. Often working from the early hours to late in the day, then stopping for a good meal with good friends. While Frank wasn't averse to getting his hands dirty, he also could relax with some needlepoint. He was an excellent cook and many friends and relatives share fond memories of sitting around a table into the wee hours; talking, dipping a lip and laughing till it hurt. Since retiring from Shaker Heights High School in 1989, Francis taught at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. Again, he formed many lasting, deep friendships and is remembered as a Renaissance Man. The perfect combination of intellect and pragmatism, you could call him to discuss art, history and politics or to fix your leaky faucet. "Frank couldn't do nothing," remembers Mary Lou Currivan, a dear friend and colleague from NDC. "In summers or year round, he was always tackling projects. One summer he started a painting business with friends. Then there was the time he took paralegal courses and worked in a law firm for a year."" He especially enjoyed travel abroad, frequently joining friends on excursions to France, Spain and Greece. He was an avid photographer, not so much of places, but of life and the people he loved. His were the first snaps you'd get after a big event. In collecting the memories for this obituary, I heard one unwavering theme. Uncle Frank was a reliable, well-loved friend, fulfilled through his endeavors and by his friendships. May he rest in peace. The Warnement family wishes to express our deepest heartfelt thanks for the kindness and compassion of Frank's friends and colleagues. You were at his bedside, helping him cope with sudden illness; especially Dick Hazelton for providing a link for long-distance family. We deeply appreciate your compassion and the love you gave. We all mourn our loss and pray for his soul. Mary Gates Grintals, loving niece to a Renaissance Man. Kalamazoo, Michigan Francis J. Warnement, age 78 of Shaker Hts., OH. Retired language teacher from Shaker Heights High School and current professor at Notre Dame College. Dear brother of Joan Boniface of Delton, MI, Bernard Warnement Vivian of Plainwell, MI, Louise Gates Bruce of Plainwell, MI, Albert Warnement Sally of Sturgis, MI and Paul Warnement of Delton, MI. Dear uncle of 27 and friend to many. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions to a charity of choice. A Funeral Mass will be held at 4pm on Friday, September 7 at Our Lady of Peace Church, 12601 Shaker Blvd. Cleveland, OH 44120. FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD, SHAKER HTS., OH FROM 1-3PM ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. Interment, St. Margaret's Cemetery, Otsego, MI.


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