Frank Filipi, Jr

Frank J. Filipi, Jr., the son of Frank J. and Helen (Sedivy) Filipi, Sr., was born November 10, 1927 on a farm near Narka, Kansas. He passed away Saturday, August 13, 2011 at the Republic County Hospital in Belleville, Kansas at the age of 83 years. Frank was one of three children. While growing up, he attended Albion grade school and graduated from Narka High School. After graduating he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for three years. He served on the USS Mt. McKinley during the testing of the A bomb and then at the US naval Base in Washington D.C. transcribing orders between Washington and our Forces overseas during WWII. He received an honorable Discharge and returned home to Narka. Frank was united in marriage to Doris Jane Chopp August 18, 1951. This union was blessed with three children, Debra, Frank Jeffery, and Todd. Frank attended Kansas State University and received his BS degree in agriculture where upon he and Doris began their life together tending the land and raising cattle. Urged by his mother who had taught at Bethlehem grade school, Frank accepted the position as teacher at the school and began his life long career of engaging young people's minds and opening their eyes to the wonders of our world. He returned to K State and earned a BS degree education majoring in Biology all the while with the help of Doris working the small farm east of Munden. Frank taught science at Munden High School and then Belleville High School over a span of 40 years, during which time he continued working on his Master's degree which he received from KSU in 1972. One of Frank's greatest talents was teaching those around him to see the world with your heart as well as your eyes. As a high school teacher he gave so many teenagers the guidance needed to think in a positive way about themselves. He allowed kids to be kids all the while opening their eyes to all the possibilities life has to offer. His motto was "do what you can, when you can, that's all you can." Life with Frank and Doris was a constant field trip; you never walked or drove anywhere without having something pointed out to you and then have it followed by a discussion of why it was that way or how did it get there, or where did it come from. The world around him was a constant source of wonder. Frank defiantly "bled purple" being an avid K-State supporter not only of sports but the agriculture program as well. He loved raising cattle, first polled Herefords and then Shorthorns. After retiring from teaching, he devoted his time to the farm, attending football games and wrestling matches and above all else the musical programs. And then there was the garden. Visitors to the Belleville Farmer's market can attest he could really grow a garden. He lived his entire life in the Narka area, proud of his Czech heritage, of his family, his farm, and so proud of all his students. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Janet Marie; his lifelong love, Doris Jane Filipi; sister Marian; sister-in-law Phyllis Vaupel, and brother-in-law Leroy Weyh. He will be forever remembered by his daughter Debra Lyn and husband bob Webber, Narka, Kansas, son Frank Jeffery and wife Gina, Lyons, Kansas, and son Todd Alan, Munden, Kansas; six grandsons Cody, Bret, Mark, Paul Filipi, Mark and Michael Webber; granddaughter Shina Filipi-Mertz; and eleven great grandchildren. His sister Erma Stewart, Wichita, Kansas, brother-in-law Chuck Vaupel, Superior, Nebraska, sister-in-law Mary Ann Weyh, Omaha, Nebraska; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives, friends and a multitude of past students who will always remember how Mr. Filipi touched their lives. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 18, 2001 at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville, Kansa with Pastor Lennie Maxwell officiating. Burial with Naval Military Honors was in National Cemetery south of