Frank Shurter, Sr., 88, of Hanna, Wyoming, and formerly of Sheridan, Wyoming, died Monday, October 10, 2011 in Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Shurter was born July 25, 1923 in Frankfort, Michigan to Heman and Stella (Hiney) Shurter. He grew up in Thomaston, Tulla, and Wakefield. He attended school in Wakefield until he went to work at age 16 to support his mother who had breast cancer.

Frank served in the U. S. Army during World War II in the 101st Airborne 506th Parachute Infantry Company. He was extremely grateful to be able to be a part of the 2010 Wyoming Honor Flight to Washington, D. C. that honored World War II veterans.

He married Eleanor Kleimola August 28, 1942 in Ironwood, Michigan.

Frank was a logger, truck driver, and coal miner. He moved to Wyoming in 1955 to work in the Medicine Bow National Forest as a logger. He helped build many roads that are still in use today.

In 1960, Frank went to work for the coal mine in Hanna. He was a foreman at the Rose Bud Coal Mine and then advanced to the position of superintendent. Frank was a superintendent for 5 years and then he transferred to the Decker Coal Mine in Decker, Montana as a dragline foreman and resided in Sheridan. He was employed by Peter Keiwitt for 27 years, retiring in 1987.

Mr. Shurter was a member of the V. F. W. and the Grace Lutheran Church, both in Hanna, and the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan. Frank enjoyed riding 4-wheelers and hunting with his family, remodeling projects with his sons, and especially enjoyed sitting with his family and telling stories.

Frank was raised as having four older sisters. He and his wife, Eleanor, found genealogical records in 1980 that he had two more half-brothers and 3 more half-sisters. They then traveled to Michigan and met the family members that he didn’t know he had.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eleanor; son, Michael Allen Shurter; grandson, Douglas Anthony Pendleton; granddaughter, Marcy Lynn Shurter; son-in-law Henry “Hank” While; 4 brothers; and 6 sisters.

Mr. Shurter is survived by two sons, Frank Wayne Shurter (Linda), of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Kenneth Lee Shurter (Kim), of Wright, Wyoming; two daughters, Patricia Ann Pendleton, of Hanna, Wyoming, and Mary Lisa While, of Sheridan, Wyoming; one sister, Goldie Blair, of St. Ignace, Michigan; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 6 great, great grandchildren.

Funeral service for Mr. Shurter will be 1:00 P. M. Monday, October 17, 2011 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanna, Wyoming with Pastor Marvin Temme officiating. Interment will be in the Hanna Cemetery. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

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