Frank Louis Barbieri, 83, of Chebanse passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at his residence.
Frank was born on May 11, 1938 in Kankakee, the son of Francisco Pietro and Mary Angela (Costi) Barbieri. He married Sharron Rose Brenneisen on May 23, 1959 in Kankakee and she survives.
Besides his wife, Sharron Barbieri of Chebanse, he is survived by three daughters, Linda (Gary) Seedorf of Chebanse, Cheryl Goodrich (Tim Hamilton) of Kankakee, and Paula (Todd) Schoon of Easley, SC; one son, Edward Barbieri of Chebanse; one brother, Jerome “Jerry” Barbieri of St. Anne; nine grandchildren, Lynn (Jimmy) Martin, Stephen (Samantha) Barbieri, Gary Barbieri (Becky Potts), Veronica (Dakotah) Eitel, Sherylynn Lafond (Jermaine Mason), Brandon Schoon (Peyton McCarthy), Nathan Schoon (Sarah Domkowski), Dylan Heil, and Devon Barbieri; three step-grandchildren; eleven step-great grandchildren; two step-great great grandchildren; and five nieces, Diana Wood, Laurie Barbieri, Raelene Hill, Dorinda Allen, Evelina Connor.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Harold Barbieri; two sisters-in-law, Janice Barbieri and Myrtle Hill; one brother in law, Lester Hill; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ivis and Edward Brenneisen.
Frank was of the Catholic faith. He served on the Chebanse Village Board, was a member of the Otto Twp. Fire Department, and helped operate Barberry Acres Mobile Home Park.
Frank worked at Mortell Company in Kankakee, Illinois, for over 30 years. His retirement consisted of many enjoyable hours with his wife and family. Frank loved to be outside and enjoyed tending the garden, flower beds and keeping the birds and flowers watered. Frank enjoyed family get-togethers with his children and grandchildren, playing yard games, spending one-on-one time with everyone, and enjoyed taking walks around Perry Farm. He enjoyed many hours of playing the accordion, having taken lessons as a young man and continuing to play even as Alzheimer’s set in.
Frank and his wife purchased their house 59 years ago in Chebanse and remodeled the house from studs and joists to the beautiful home it is today. Frank was a self-taught handyman. He loved to fix and repair things, and this led to many hours of home repairs, remodeling, and improvements in the house. He was forever finding something that needed to be fixed or repaired, even if the rest of us could find no reason for the repair. He just loved to be busy.
Frank was a very giving man of his time and attention, and the family valued his assistance and input in all home remodeling situations. As each grandchild and great-grandchild grew to adulthood, Frank loved to spend quality time with them all. He enjoyed the different personalities of all the kids and truly enjoyed the times they had together.
Frank was a very strong man in life, figuratively and literally. His children have fond memories of trying to pry his hands open and the genuine laughter as he defeated us time and again. He was a true caretaker of his family, working two jobs for a while and then coming home to repair whatever home appliance needed attention, and he was very conscientious of the environment, spending many hours keeping a compost pile, recycling and reusing as much as possible.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the 7:30 p.m. memorial service on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton with Chad McGinnis officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse.
Memorials may be made to Vitas Hospice.
