Joseph A. Frauenheim, Jr.

Joe passed away peacefully on September 8, 2014 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  His wife and three sons were with him.

Joe was born on June 28, 1934 in Butler, PA, and moved to Detroit, MI, when he was about four.  He lived there with his dad, Joe Sr., his mother, Pearl (McClymonds) and his brother, Jack. After attending Catholic schools, Joe went to Eastern Michigan University (EMU) where he and Sandy met as freshmen.

Upon graduating from EMU, Joe joined the National Bank of Detroit (NBD) Management Training Program along with seven other “single” college grads. Joe and Sandy were married and together went to Germany to fulfill Joe’s ROTC commitment with the 3rd Armored Division in Frankfurt.  Their twin boys, Bill and Bob were born in Germany.  Upon returning to Detroit, Dan was born.  Joe had rejoined NBD and the seven now “married” fellow trainees.  These eight couples have remained close lifelong friends.

Joe moved to City National Bank of Detroit, and in 1974 came to Lansing as President of the Bank of Lansing.  Joe was a believer in community service.  His many community affiliations included:  Michigan State Chamber of Commerce (Board Chairman, 1978-1980); St. Lawrence Hospital (Board of Directors and Board Chairman; the “Father Mac” Awards Dinner Chair; Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; Capital Area United Way; Wharton Center for Performing Arts, MSU; Michigan Chapter of YPO (Young President’s); Blue Care Network-Health Board of Directors; Michigan Bankers Association (whose Annual Meeting at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island always coincided with Joe and Sandy’s wedding anniversary); Jackson National, Board of Directors and CEO; Capital Region Community Foundation, Trustee and Board Chair; and the 1989 Cancer Celebrity Golf Tournament that brought Bobby Riggs and other celebrities to the Lansing area.

Joe enjoyed tennis, gin rummy, hearts, black jack, bridge.  His greatest love though was golf.  As a child, he often went over, under or through the fence at Chandler Park Golf Course.  He was captain of the golf team at EMU.   Golf remained a lifelong passion, especially with his family.

Joe (and Sandy) enjoyed traveling.  They spent their first Christmas in Bavaria (Germany) and their first anniversary in Venice, Italy. Favorite trips include Great Britain, France, Switzerland and especially Australia as well as many trips in and around the US.  Joe loved his winters on Singer Island in Florida.

Nothing brought Joe more pleasure than being with his family.  He loved watching them perform, compete or just play.  Joe was a great mentor to his family, their friends or anyone who needed advice.  His gift was listening and guiding others to meaningful decisions.

Joe is survived by, Sandy, his wife of 56 years; sons, Bill (Jane), Bob (Ann) and Dan (Rochelle); and his very beloved grandchildren:  Gregory (18), John (16), Julia (13), Mitchell (15), Katie (13), Monique (8) and Alexa (3).  He is also survived by his brother, Jack; his sisters-in-law, Boots and Pam; many special nieces, nephews and cousins; and, of course, his many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 10:00 A.M., St. Casimir Parish, 815 Sparrow, Lansing, MI, with Father Bill Lugger as celebrant. Visitation will be before Mass.  For those unable to attend Mass, the family will receive friends at the Frauenheim home, 3618 Muirfield Dr., Lansing, MI 48911, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26th.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Capital Region Community Foundation, Joseph A. Frauenheim Fund; First Tee of Mid-Michigan or St. Casimir Church for the “Come to the River” 5K Walk/Run. The family is being served by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. www.EstesLeadley.com

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14 Messages to “Joseph A. Frauenheim, Jr.

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The Liss Family
September 9, 2014 at 10:05 pm

Uncle Joe will be missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

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JoAnne and Larry Burrill
September 10, 2014 at 10:04 am

Our sincere thoughts and prayers go to you and your family at this very sad time. Joe will be missed by all of us. Fondly, JoAnne and Larry

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Phoenix Towers Condo
September 10, 2014 at 10:54 am

The staff at Phoenix Towers will greatly miss seeing Joe on the property. He was well know and liked by all. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time of your loss.

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All the McKeemans
September 10, 2014 at 1:29 pm

Joe was always the gentleman to our Family. We will miss seeing him.

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Steve & Lexy Shroyer Family
September 11, 2014 at 7:19 pm

Uncle Joe. Respected. Loved. Father. Uncle. Husband. Grandfather. Successful. Funny. Amiable. Good-humored. Cool. Missed.
God Bless.

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Dominic & Rosalie DAnnunzio
September 14, 2014 at 10:15 am

Good friend and fellow board member. Thank you for all of you good advice. God rest your soul.

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Dolores Cipicchio
September 15, 2014 at 1:11 pm

Heaven is waiting for you to start a well runed bank with other past bank members
waiting for your leadership. God bless your family. Peace be with you.

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Pamela Hacker Austin
September 17, 2014 at 12:27 pm

My thoughts & prayers are with you Sandy & boys. My dad loved your Joe so much, one of his dearest friends and long time gin rummy partner. Dad was happy to have been able to spend the long weekend with him in July. Joe was a wonderful man, and I’m blessed to have gotten to know him a bit more myself over the last year. Will always think of him with a smile. God bless you all, at this difficult time in life.

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Bob and Boots Schmidt
September 19, 2014 at 4:42 pm

Such a sad time – Joe will be greatly missed – He was an A #1 Brother-in-law and loved. I’ll miss him asking me “What’s the bottom line, Boots”?

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Nancy Solis
September 21, 2014 at 7:29 pm

Joe loved people! We had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions. He was honest, straight forward, and caring. A man of great integrity. He will be missed by all who knew him.

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Judy and Jimmie McAdams
September 23, 2014 at 11:43 am

“When the Lord calls our loved ones home, He leaves a gift of happy memories in exchange.”

Our deepest sympathy to The Frauenheim Family.

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Brad and Kirsten Peterson Family
September 24, 2014 at 4:08 pm

Uncle Joe will be greatly missed. He always seemed to be having a great time and was so much fun to be around. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Frauenheim family.

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R. Bruce Carruthers
September 24, 2014 at 4:21 pm

My deepest sympathies to the Frauenheim family on the loss of Joe.

I became acquainted with Joe in his capacity as President of Bank of Lansing. I was then and remain impressed with his professionalism, his treatment of bank customers and their advisors, his personal and business integrity, and his many contributions to community service endeavors. Joe was a truly good man who made a positive difference through his actions.

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R. Bruce Carruthers
September 24, 2014 at 4:27 pm

I became acquainted with Joe initially in his capacity as President of the Bank of Lansing. I was and remain impressed with his professionalism, his pride in the bank, his courtesy with bank customers and their advisors, his personal and business integrity, and his many valuable contributions to community service endeavors. Joe was a truly good man who made a positive difference through his personal and business activities.

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