Franklin (Frank) Theodore Saeger — O’Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home

Franklin (Frank) Theodore Saeger, 92, of Quincy, Illinois passed away peacefully at 1:32 pm on Friday, June 28, 2024, at home in Quincy.

Frank was born April 11, 1932 in Quincy to William Frederick and Emma Wilhelmina (Bauch) Saeger. He married Arlene E. Wagner on June 27, 1959 in Salem Evangelical Church. She preceded him in death on March 24, 2023.

Friends and Family are invited to Franklin’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be Monday, July 8, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the O’Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home in Quincy.

The Funeral Ceremony will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the O’Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home. Dr. Tom Dickerson, Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Greenmount Cemetery with full Military Honors by the United States Navy Funeral Honors Detail and the Quincy American Legion Post # 37.

Frank is survived by his two children, Alan T. Saeger of Quincy and Susan L. Saeger of Houston, Texas, and many loving nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his five brothers and sisters and their spouses: Harold (Wilma) Saeger, Kenneth (Norma) Saeger, William (Arlene) Saeger, Lucille (Monte) Dearwester and Irene (George) Hunter.

Frank was a 1950 graduate of Quincy High School, attended Quincy College and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1955 with an engineering degree. He had enlisted in the US Naval Reserve while a Senior in high school. After college graduation, Frank returned to Quincy where he began his career as a mechanical engineer for Gardner-Denver, retiring after 42 years in 1997.

Frank was an avid traveler, visiting all 50 states and 39 countries. In his early years, the family took road trips throughout the continental United States. In his retirement, his wife and daughter were the travel planners and he happily joined them to go anywhere in the world. Frank was especially interested in war history and enjoyed touring many famous WWI and WWII battle sites across Europe, including Flanders Field in Belgium, the D-Day Beaches at Normandy, and many points of interest in Berlin as well as Pearl Harbor in the US. Other favorite travel destinations included Egypt, Israel, and Russia. In addition to travel by land, Frank also enjoyed river and ocean cruises around the world. Wherever he ventured in the world, Frank had his favorite Texas Longhorns cap and VALIC sweatshirt and could always manage to get his preferred chocolate sundae dessert.

When he wasn’t traveling, Frank enjoyed cheering for the Chicago Bears, the University of Illinois Illini, the University of Texas Longhorns, and baseball’s American League; listening to the classic tunes of Glenn Miller and other Big Band musicians, and watching classic Westerns on TV. He also enjoyed playing golf, poker and billiards with his friends. He bowled in the Gardner-Denver League first at the Casino Bowl and later at the Tangerine Bowl. Frank especially loved the family tradition of Christmas Eve dinner at Tony’s Old Place in Quincy or Perry’s Steakhouse in Houston before attending candlelight services.

Most of all, Frank will be remembered for his servant’s heart and faithful service to his country during his time in the US Naval Reserve, and his countless hours of volunteer work. Frank happily dedicated his free time to providing much needed assistance to those most at risk in the Quincy area. Most notably, Frank partnered with Quincy Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and assisted with grocery delivery through the Senior Center to homebound seniors in the Quincy community. He was also always very actively involved with his church. Frank was a 70-year member of Herman Lodge, where he became a Master Mason. He was also a 32nd degree Freemason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Quincy, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America.

Frank’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all his angels at Bickford Cottage and Blessing Hospice who so lovingly and wonderfully cared for him.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church or Quincy Habitat for Humanity.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.ODonnellCookson.com.