Frank H. Sehnert – Carbondale May 25, 2013

CARBONDALE – Frank Henry Sehnert, 94, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Parkway Manor in Marion, IL.
He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on April 3, 1919, the son of a Methodist minister Henry Buckley Sehnert and Florence Victoria (Schwarzwaelder) Sehnert.
As a child, Frank lived in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. After graduating from high school, Frank worked as a crew member on cruise and merchant ships, traveling the world and visiting many international ports. He began his college education at Ohio Wesleyan University, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. He earned a second Bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire with a major in Agriculture. A Master’s Degree in Rural Sociology was obtained at Ohio State University.
On April 22, 1945, Frank married Imogene Lewis at the Ridgewood, NJ, Methodist Church. She survives. They recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Also surviving are their four children: Brenda Crimmins (deceased husband Dale) of Charleston, IL; Trent I. Sehnert (wife Zoraida) of Hollywood, FL; Loreen Mason of Murphsyboro, IL; and Claude W. Sehnert (wife Rebecca) of Plano, TX. Their grandchildren are Melanie Crimmins Bottom, Andrea Crimmins, Sarah Crimmins, Monica Mason Raines, Holly Mason, Shane Sehnert, Tyler Sehnert, Ava Sehnert, Sheperd Sehnert, Davin Sehnert and step grandsons Cully and Brett Perlman. They have six great grand-children.
Also surviving is his brother, Paul J. Sehnert of Long Beach, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marion P. Sehnert.
Frank moved to Carbondale in 1955 when he accepted a position with Southern Illinois University in the Department of Community Development. He served as a consultant to surrounding communities to promote resource and economic development, including the towns of Cobden, Golconda, and Robinson. He later became a foreign Student Advisor for the SIU International Student Services Department.
After retirement, Frank continued leadership in community organizations. He actively served the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Community Education Association, Illinois State Library Board,
Southern Illinois Arts and Crafts Guild, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation. He was president of the local AARP group, officer of the Carbondale Community Education Association, and he worked with the Kettering Foundation to facilitate and moderate National Issues Forums. He enjoyed classical music, gardening, reading, sports and politics.
Visitation will be Thursday May 30th, 2013 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at Huffman-Harker-Walker Funeral Home, Carbondale, followed by a graveside service at Carbondale Oakland Cemetery.