Frank Carnes

Frank E. Carnes was a fun-loving and deeply devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. From his childhood experience of family he understood the importance of being together and loving one another. He carried that value into adulthood and made life sweet for everyone around him with his wonderful smile and delightful sense of humor. Frank was born at the beginning of a decade that marked Americas military involvement in Vietnam and continued the civil rights movement back home. The United States advanced in the space race and soon celebrated the first human to set foot on the moon. A true bright spot for a couple in FloridaMilton Floyd and Shirley Janet (Whitsell) Carneswas the birth of their son Frank on March 16, 1960 in Niceville, Florida. Milton was in the service at the time, stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, and Frank spent some of his childhood in Spain and French Morocco in North Africa. After leaving the military, Milton and Shirley moved to Shelby, Michigan and then Muskegon, Michigan to raise their family. He worked in maintenance and she was employed as a nurse. Frank and his siblings Penny, John and Patsy attended schools in Shelby, Nims Elementary and Nelson Jr. High. Frank played football in school, but he also enjoyed baseball, bikes, go-carts and motorcycles. He hung out with dozens of friendsBuck Berg, Lenley Keeton, Mike Zimmerman, Mike Bennett, Mike Lewis, Dave Lewis, Russell Wiggins, Dave Goulet, Jerry Patterson, Marv Norton and Steve Loweryand engaged in some boyhood mischief. One time, Frank and his cousin Ric put frogs in the clean horse trough water. When his Uncle Melvin found out, he made the boys get the biggest glasses they could find and then told them to fill the glasses with water from the trough. Since Frank and Ric thought the horses could drink the water, reasoned his uncle, then they could drink it, too. As they brought the glasses to their lips, Uncle Melvin started laughing. He stopped the punishment, but no doubt the boys learned their lesson. The Carnes always enjoyed life that expanded beyond their nuclear family. They not only went camping and fishing, churned homemade ice cream and took trips to Cedar Point amusement park, they also feasted on pig roasts at Uncle Carls house and both sides of the family spent Thanksgiving together. During the holiday season, getting new pajamas on Christmas Eve became a memorable tradition. Unfortunately due to a falling out, Frank never quite understood, he was estranged from John and Patsy for the past 24 years. Like his father, Frank joined the military and proudly served his country in the US Army from 1977 to 1981. During that time, he received his GED and some years later went to work for Shape Corporation as a hi-lo driver. He was first hired as a temporary worker on September 14, 2009, went full time beginning February 15, 2010 and moved to the Pontaluna plant in November of 2014. However, in between soldiering and driving, Franks life changed dramatically. At the home of one of his best friends, Mark (Tammy) Hawkins, Frank met a young woman by the name of Dana Elliott. Several years later they started dating and got married on July 13, 1991. Throughout the years Frank spoiled Dana giving her whatever her heart desired including 3 additional wedding ring sets. Frank only wanted the best for his Dana. On February 12, 2013, Dana further secured their vows when she went shopping and bought a new wedding ring. Upon coming home, she smiled at Frank and said, Do you know how much I love you? He looked at her knowingly and said. Now what did you do, Dana? She then showed him the Valentine gift he had just bought her. The day he married, Frank also became a father of two boys. He was a stern parent but very caring and committed. He adopted Tommy and Travis on May 15, 1996 and raised his family on 968 W. Grand Avenue, the old Carnes homestead. He continued at least one Carnes family traditionspending many-a day at Cedar Point. Frank and Dana learned the importance of family and had an adopted red headed step-child, LaDonna. LaDonna blessed them with three adopted grandchildren, Brianna, Mariah & Josh. Frank and Dana loved hanging out with Gary & Paulette "Porch Monkeying", having a few drinks and talking the night away. Frank and Dana loved Gary & Paulettes children, Kyla and Kennadi like their own grandchildren. Fun for Frank also included bowling, shooting pool, riding bike and spending time with friends such as Bruce Craymer. He played in a billiard league, first for Pop-A-Top Tavern and for the last several years with Fruitport Eagles Arie #3666. He met up with friends at the Polish Falcon Club, where he was a member. He rode his 2005 Harley Electra Glide and, in time, enjoyed taking his grandchildren for rides. Frank and Dana had always had pets, but his dogs Harley Girl and Panda Renee were special, particularly Panda who even rode on his Harley with him. On June 10, 2015, Frank was pulling his trailer on his way to the annual Sandy Corley Motorcycle event when he hit a bump in the road that caused the trailer to open up. Frank later said he knew at the time that it wasnt going to be good. Dana and Frank had been married 23 years, 11 months, 8 days, before God called him home! Dana will be forever lost without her beloved Frank. Mr. Frank E. Carnes, age 55, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2015. He lived the life he enjoyed with his beloved family and a multitude of friends. SURVIVORS Wife , Dana; son, Tommy Elliott; grandsons, Travis Carnes Jr., Camren Carnes & Alexander Elliott; sister, Penny (Eugene) Roswell; nieces, Shawn (Troy Feight) Roswell, Amber (Kyle) Stockton; mother-in-law, Darlene Elliott; sisters-in-law, Denise (Gary) Treesh, Linda (Michael) Parker, Patricia Deitz; special friends, Mark (Tammy) Hawkins, Gary (Paulette Aranda) Lawson, Pam Craymer; like his children, Marceedes Langlois, Robert Langlois III; many other nieces, nephews, cousins & friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Shirley on June 7, 1991, Milton on September 23, 1991; son, Travis on December 5, 2012; father-in-law, Daniel C. Elliott on November 14, 2009; best friends, Robert Langlois Jr. on January 9, 2005 & Bruce Craymer on April 10, 2012. SERVICE Sunday, June 28, 2015, 1:00 pm at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Kendall Brazley officiating and Military Honors under the Auspices of the Muskegon County Council of Veterans. VISITATION Saturday, June 27, 2015, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: In lieu of flowers please consider giving Harley Davidson T Shirts so a quilt can be made in his memory. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon