Frank Louis Hufnagel

     Frank Louis Hufnagel passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at the age of 84. He was a fantastic husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved his family dearly.

     Frank was born in Fowler, December 12, 1938, the son of Nick and Rose (Simon) Hufnagel. He graduated from Fowler High School in 1957. Frank was a lifelong, committed member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler.  He had a strong devotion to prayer and to his Catholic faith.   Frank was raised on a family farm and grew to become a tireless worker in professional, farm, and military service. As a young adult he served in the Army, and later as a corrections officer. He also took great joy in raising cattle and crops on his own farm.

     All the while, for 51 years, he proudly drove school bus for the students and athletes of Fowler Public Schools whom he truly loved. A favorite recollection was backing the Fowler Eagles football team bus down the tunnel of the Pontiac Silverdome to multiple championship games. Frank considered it a privilege to serve as public address announcer for Fowler’s football and track teams. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he was recognized as an Honorary Member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.  Frank truly enjoyed serving the people of his community. He never lacked effort or initiative in service through the Jaycees, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, VFW, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Fowler Public Schools, and more. Through these and all his family and community experiences, Frank had genuine interest in and cared for everyone he came to know, and reveled in conversation, storytelling and card playing with all his friends and family both in Fowler and at Halls Lake.

     On June 17, 1961, he married Kay (Koenigsknecht) Hufnagel and enjoyed 59 years of marriage. Surviving are three sons: Neil (Anne), Luke (Cindy) and Matt (Tori); thirteen grandchildren; four great-grandsons; his siblings: Esther Eiseler, Helen Hungerford, and Jim (Carrie) Hufnagel; in-laws: Marie Hufnagel, Marlene Hufnagel, Judy Koenigsknecht, Marilie Koenigsknecht, Bob (Pat) Koenigsknecht, MaryAnn (Roger) Kaminskis, Jane Fox, Luke (Rosemary) Koenigsknecht, and Don (Colleen) Koenigsknecht. He was preceded in death by his wife Kay, his parents; granddaughter, Amber Rose Hufnagel; his brothers: Clem Hufnagel, Chuck Hufnagel, Tom (Nancy) Hufnagel, his sisters: Celeste (Fran) Heckman, Mary (Wesley) Arnold; in-laws John Eiseler, Ken Hungerford, Carl Koenigsknecht, Roy Koenigsknecht, and Joe Koenigsknecht.

     Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, with Rev. Fr. John Whitlock presiding.  Rite of Committal will follow at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-8 P.M. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Smith Family Funeral Homes -Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.   A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund or the Fowler Public Schools Education Foundation.  Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.