Frank Gadfield

Frank M. Gadfield, 95, a life-long resident of Mansfield, died Thursday, March 21, 2002, at MedCentral Hospital. He was born May 15, 1906, the youngest of Edwin J. and Bertha E. Hammerli Gadfield's five children. After graduating in 1924 from Mansfield Senior High, Frank worked for Rusk Brothers Building Supply Company and later the National Ice Company before establishing himself in 1938 as a custom homebuilder. By the time he retired in 1995 at age 90, Frank had overseen the construction of nearly 500 homes in the Mansfield/Richland County area. Indicative of the high quality of Frank's work, several realtors now identify him when advertising houses for which he served as the contractor. Three times he served as president of the Home Builders Association of Mansfield. He was also a member of the Linden Road Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and member of the Building Committee. Frank enjoyed playing euchre, golf, baseball and especially tennis, winning the News Journal doubles titles in 1944 and 1947. He was winner of tennis titles in Galion and at the Woodland Club, of which he was a charter member. He continued to play tennis into his 80's and in 1990 was inducted into the Lakewood Racquet Club's Mansfield Area Hall of Fame. In 1929, Frank and several friends established a ping pong group that still meets Tuesday evenings, often at the Gadfield home.

Frank is survived by three children, Mary Jane Phil Hamilton of Madison, Wisconsin, Gwenn Karl Minke of Cleveland, and John Gadfield of Mansfield; a loving friend, Ruth Roby; extended family member, Mary Jim Cunningham; five grandchildren, Ian Hamilton, Jeff Kim Thwing and Brad Chris Thwing, Bryan Kelly Gadfield and Bethany Gadfield; four great-grandchildren, Jessica and Rebecca Thwing and Jacob and Eryn Gadfield; along with many nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Helen Louise McBride Gadfield, whom he married in 1929 and passed away in February 1990; brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles Flossie Gadfield and Robert Anna Gadfield; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Fred Heuss and Ethel Harry Stiffler.

Friends may call at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors Monday, March 25, 2002, from 4-8 p.m. and one hour prior to funeral services which will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home conducted by his pastor, Rev. Lewis VanderNaald. Burial will be in Mansfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Linden Road Presbyterian Church.