Passed away peacefully on Aug. 25, 2020 in St. Louis, MO. Frank was born on Jan. 4, 1922 in Tiff, Missouri to Steven and Carrie Boyer. He loved his parents deeply and spent his childhood in Tiff before joining the Civil Conservation Corp as a teenager, where he built roads and bridges in central Missouri. When World War II broke out, Frank joined the Navy at the age of 21 and served aboard the Welles Destroyer which earned nine battle stars for its participation in major battles throughout the Pacific. Frank dedicated his life to his country during this time and did not step back on land for 18 months. Following the war, Frank settled in St. Louis and began working at Premier Records where he met the love of his life, Rose Mary Aiello, who he married in 1946. They enjoyed 62 years of wonderful marriage until the passing of Rosie in 2008.
To Frank and Rose, life was family and family was life. For nearly 60 years, family and friends gathered at their home after Sunday Mass for breakfast, doughnuts and football talk. Over the years the crowds grew, often approaching 20-30 visitors. Despite the chaos of the large gatherings, Frank would always seem to find a way to sneak off with one or two of the grandkids for a little spoiling. Frank and Rose’s warmth, kindness, love for one another, compassion, generosity and sense of humor enriched family and friends alike.
Frank was dedicated to giving his children, Carol and Frank Jr., a first-rate education, something he missed in his own life. Frank set an example by starting his day attending Catholic Mass, then working a full shift at a factory and finally concluding his day and weekends by working at his grocery store, which he purchased to employ his brother-in-laws. His tireless work ethic, driven by his willingness to sacrifice for others, has inspired his entire family to follow in his footsteps. Even though Frank did not receive his high school diploma in his teen years, he did receive it at the age of 89 to three standing ovations of nearly four thousand attendees at Potosi High School’s graduation.
Frank will always be remembered for his deep love of Rosie, his endless love and devotion to his family, and of course, his delight in teasing his grandchildren and spoiling them with their favorite treats. His grand kids and great grand kids were the twinkle in his eye.
Frank is survived by his daughter, Carol McFarland, and his son and daughter-in-law, Francis (Frank) C. Boyer Jr and Nancy Boyer. He was a loving father-in-law to Bill McFarland before Bill’s passing. He is grandfather to eight wonderful young adults (Tyler McFarland, Roxane Hewitt, Shannon McFarland, Chris Boyer, Kelly Krupp, Kim Koontz, Tony Boyer and Katie Boyer) and great grandfather to 19 beautiful great-grandchildren (Brennan, Seamus, Peyton, Ryan and Devin McFarland as well as Sam, Romy and Ben Hewitt of St. Louis, MO … Matthew, Sydney and Nicolas Boyer of Bethesda, MD … Kyle and Avery Krupp of Louisville, KY … Clay, Connor and Annie Koontz of Danville, CA … Ellie, Will and Emelie Boyer of Dallas, TX.)
He touched their lives so dearly and they will forever carry forward his spirit of kindness and love of family.
Frank lived a tremendous life, filled with love and admiration, surrounded by caring family and friends. He will be missed but his spirit continues to shine brightly in the many people he touched.
God bless this amazing man!
SERVICES: Funeral Mass will take place at St. Mark Catholic Church, 4200 Ripa Avenue, Saturday, August 29, at 10:30 AM. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. A KUTIS AFFTON SERVICE.