Frank Henry Michalek OBITUARY

Frank Henry Michalek OBITUARY

Frank Henry Michalek, 92, of Plainfield, IL died Friday, July 10, 2026. He was born April 20, 1934, to Charles and Albina (Cermak) Michalek in their Chicago family home, adjacent to the family’s tavern, Michalek Tavern. He was the youngest of six brothers. Frank attended Farragut high school. Received his BS from Chicago City College, MS from George William College, and PhD from Univ. of Utah. He taught physical education for over 40 years at Wilson College, Kennedy King College, and Daily College. He enjoyed staying physically fit thru Sokol gymnastics, playing volleyball and swimming. He participated in the Senior Olympics in volleyball, swimming, and track and field. In 2010 at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah he set a world record in standing long jump at 7’11” at the age of 71. Frank’s philosophical statement for life was “Activity is life and where there is no activity, there is no life” He was a member of Sokol, CSA, Coast Guard Auxiliary, American Legion, and a Tabor Hills board member. Frank was a US Marine and took great pride in having been in the military. He enjoyed many summers in Michigan with his wife, Carolee, who he lovingly referred to as the “domestic goddess”, before she passed in 2017. They were married for 52 years. Father of Geri Lynn (Michael) McCafferty, Jodi Otzwirk, and Michael (Brenda) Michalek; Grandfather of Kevin (Vanessa) and Laura (fiancé Daniel Wyllie) McCafferty, Michael (Grace), Miranda, and Mason Otzwirk and Teagan and Morgan Michalek; great grandfather of Hudson Wyllie. Frank was a lifelong musician, very musically inclined starting off as a young drummer in a wedding band. That band stayed together for 40 years. He also played the accordion. His favorite instruments were the harmonica and the spoons which he carried with him everywhere. Frank enjoyed dancing the waltz, Cha-cha, and polka to name a few. Frank loved to do handstands. He would kick up into one at every state sign, monument or mountaintop throughout the world while on vacations. He was a firm believer that movement was the key for a long life.

Frank had a true Zest for life. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at Mount Auburn Funeral Home, 4101 South Oak Park Ave, Stickney, IL 60402, on July 27, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Morning visitation will be held at Mount Auburn Funeral Home on July 28, 2026, at 10:00 am. Prayers will take place at 11:30 am. Services will conclude with military honors at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Frank’s honor to The American Sokol Organization, Tabor Hills Healthcare, or the Honor Flight Network-Chicago.