McCUNE — Frank A. Amershek, 59, of rural McCune died at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 2010, in the Labette Health Emergency Room at Parsons. He had been in failing health but his death was unexpected.

He was born on Dec. 5, 1950, at Pittsburg to Jack and Ernesta (Bracelli) Amershek. He grew up on the family farm near McCune and attended McCune schools, graduating from McCune High School in 1968. He later graduated from Labette Community College with an associate’s degree.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1968 and served as an airplane mechanic in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1972. He returned to rural McCune, where he worked on the family farm.

He married Victoria Pape on Jan. 11, 1975, at the Oswego Christian Church in Oswego. She survives of the home.

He attended lineman school at Topeka and then worked for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and AT&T for 35 years. He retired in 2008.

He loved his Lord with all his heart and served Him faithfully. He was an active member of the United Chapel Church at rural McCune. He served the church in numerous capacities, including Sunday school teacher, deacon, bus driver, maintenance worker and board of trustees member.

Mr. Amershek also received great pleasure in working on the family farm with his brothers, working with horses and being an amateur cowboy. He loved and cherished the time he spent with his family and friends. He loved his country and was proud of the fact that he served in the United States Air Force.

In addition to his wife of 35 years, Victoria, survivors include a son, Austin Amershek and his wife, Jenni, of central Asia; his daughter, Jenni Thompson and her husband, Dan, of Springdale, Ark.; five grandchildren, Ethan Titus Amershek, Ellianna Grace Amershek, Michala Paige Thompson, Emily Francis Thompson and Lauren Diane Thompson; two brothers, Ernest Amershek and his wife, Carrie, of McCune, and Richard Amershek of McCune; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ernesta Amershek; a brother, Jacob Amershek; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Amershek.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. Burial will follow in McCune Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the United Chapel Church near McCune.

Memorials are suggested to the United Chapel Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 518 W. St. St. John Ave., P.O. Box 258, Girard, 66743.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.