Frank Staudenmeier, age 69, a lifelong resident of Ashland, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday afternoon at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, FL with his wife Kate by his side.
Born in Ashland, July 30, 1950, he was the son of the late Francis and Mary (Madden) Staudenmeier of Ashland.
He was a 1968 Graduate of Immaculate Heart High School and attended Lehigh County Community College. He married his high school sweetheart, Kate, on May 12, 1973.
He served as a Schuylkill County Commissioner since 2002 and most recently was elected to serve another 4 year term beginning in January 2020. He was previously employed for 24 years for Electric Utilities Corporation.
Frank was most recently serving on the Board of Directors of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) and was Chairman of the Board from 2001 to 2003. During the time he was Board Chair the following projects were initiated: new Highridge Park Road Interchange (Exit 119) was dedicated by PennDOT to service the Highridge Business Park, Country Inn & Suites began construction, Wegmans acquired acreage and planned to construct a distribution center, and 9 additional projects to expand or develop business throughout the county occurred. He was the past President and member of the Board of Director for Schuylkill County United Way. Most recently he served on the Board of Directors of the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, Ashland Community Enterprises, and Schuylkill Community Action.
He served as President and Board Member of the Manufacturers Association of Mid-Eastern PA and was past president for the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce from 1998 – 1999. He formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Shamokin Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council of Northeastern PA; Shamokin Downtown Revitalization Corporation; Shamokin Area Industrial Corporation; Schuylkill County Council of the Arts and the Lower Anthracite United Way. In 1993, Frank was named Schuylkill County Business Man of the Year for his work and Leadership as a PPL Executive.
Frank was recently inducted into the County Commissioner Association of Pennsylvania “Academy for Excellence.” Frank was a member of the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool Organization (PCoRP) Board for 17 years and was the Board Chair for 13 years, which was the longest serving chair in PCoRP’s 33 year history. He had recently been elected as Chairman of the County Commissioner’s Association of Pennsylvania Investment Committee and was also appointed to the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Counties Health Insurance Cooperative.
Frank was very passionate about youth activities in the community and was extremely active in coaching youth sports including serving as President and Manager of Ashland Teener League and Ashland Area Girls Softball Association and Secretary and Manager of Ashland Little League.
He was also a member of the Ashland Kiwanis Club, Good Fellowship Club, and Ashland Elks Club. Frank was most passionate about his family and friends. If Frank knew you for 50 years or 5 minutes he would smile, shake your hand, and call you “brother”.
He enjoyed all the great things life had to offer and he shared that enjoyment with his family every day.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, the former Kathleen Ritro; two children, Stacey Staudenmeier of Ashland, and Scott Staudenmeier and his wife, Janelle, Frackville; four grandchildren, Mason and Brody, Ashland, and twins, Trevor and Ava, Frackville; a brother, John Staudenmeier and his wife Adora, West New York, NJ; 11 nieces and nephews, many cousins and friends.
Preceding him in death, his sister, Mary Beth (Staudenmeier) Vollendorf.
A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, March 7, 2020 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Ashland with Rev. Brian Miller officiating. Interment in St. Mauritius Cemetery, Ashland. Viewing 5:00-8:00 PM Friday, March 6 and 9:00-10:45 AM Saturday, March 7 both at St. Charles Borromeo Church.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Ashland Public Library, 1229 Center St., Ashland, PA 17921; Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, 216 S. Center St., Pottsville, PA 17901, Schuylkill United Way,9 N. Center St., Pottsville,PA. 17901 or Ashland Little League,c/o Bill Urbanowicz, 27 S. Hoffman Blvd., Ashland,PA. 17921.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc., Ashland is in charge of the arrangements. Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor.
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