Frank E. Mihelich

Funeral service for Frank E. Mihelich, 80, of Gilbert, will be 11am Friday, February 10, 2012 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert with Fr. Frank Perkovich officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Gilbert Cemetery. Frank died February 6, 2012 at his residence. Frank Mihelich graduated from Gilbert High School in 1949. Shortly after graduation Frank enlisted in the military and was stationed overseas. Upon his return he enrolled at Eveleth Junior College and pursued a degree in education and also played football. He finished his college at Bemidji where he graduated with a degree in history and a minor in Spanish. Frank taught in Williston, North Dakota, Labrador, Greenway of Coleraine, and Eveleth. As Frank taught Spanish he embraced the Spanish culture and during the summer months would further his education in places like Buenos Aries, Argentina, Mexico City, Mexico, and also traveled to Spain. Frank worked for a short time at the Cluett Peabody factory in Gilbert. In his later years he worked part time as a janitor at the Gilbert Post Office and St. Joseph's Church. Frank inherited a strong work ethic and the appearance of each was important to him. He took great pride and worked hard to keep them in spotless condition and was often complimented for his efforts. Frank's real passion was sports however. He particularly had a soft spot for the track and field events and in his early life even traveled to the Pan American Games. He also traveled to Pasadena in the early 1960's to watch the Gophers in the Rose Bowl. It did not matter however as he enjoyed them all, especially college athletics. Frank was blessed with a keen memory as any one could tell had they visited with him. He remembered all the great athletes to come off the Iron Range in the 40's and 50's as well as those in college at that time. If you had the time he would like to converse about those early times and his early years growing up in Gilbert. In his later years as his health began to fail Frank stayed about his home. Many of the neighbors reached out to him for which he is thankful. However Frank was of the generation where a great value was put on self reliance and he learned that virtue at an early age. Frank continued to enjoy his sporting events on TV and the radio and listened to the Spanish broadcasts as well. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Sophie Miller, Mary Deluca, and Georgine Warren, and brother George. He is survived by nephews Mike Mihelich of Gilbert, Thomas (Linda) DeLuca of Gilbert and George (Darlene) DeLuca of Bloomington.