Frank Frances Gnemi

Frank Frances Gnemi of St. James, Missouri was born on October 8, 1919 to Carlo Charles Natalina Maria (Sachelli) Gnemi and passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at the age of 101 years.

His father moved to the United States from Italy in 1907, and his mother and sister followed in 1911. They first settled in New York and then moved to Girard, Illinois where he was a coalminer. Around 1918, they moved to St. James where they were farmers and grape growers. Frank was the first child born on the family farm in 1919.

He married Alice Lorene Parrish on January 19, 1949 in Steelville, Misssouri. She passed away on August 18, 2012.

During the war, Frank served in the Civilian Conservation Corps of Engineers primarily in Burns, Oregon and other places. He was a member of the laborers union, a farmer, a grape grower with a contract with Welch’s Juice Company in Springdale, Arkansas. He worked in construction; he was a contractor building several homes and loved being on his bulldozer building ponds and lakes. He loved to go fishing to get the biggest catfish or gigging with his friends. He was an avid player of pinochle and horseshoes with family and friends. The thing Frank loved best was work, good hard physical labor! He never met a stranger, and he world give you the shirt off his back. He loved kids and loved life. But most of all, he was the best father in the world! Family always came first, and we could always count on his help and his support.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlo and Natalina Gnemi; wife, Alice Lorene Parrish Gnemi; daughter Kristie Gnemi; granddaughter, Lori Lee Gnemi; brothers: William (Bill) R. Gnemi, Guido (Jim) Gnemi, Martin L. Gnemi, Charles F. Gnemi, Marion T. Gnemi and sisters: Ameda Biondo, Elizabeth (Betty) Schuchman and Irene Nielson.

He is survived by children: Barbara Call, Pam (Michael) Maddalon, Jerry Gnemi and William (Bill) Gnemi (Donna); grandchildren: John Douglas II (Susan), Angela (Ryan) Robertson, and Saundra Hendricks; great grandchildren: Justin Hendricks, Emily Douglas, Turner Robertson and Arianna Robertson; great great grandchildren: Dillon Hendricks and Gabriella Hendricks; along with two sister-in-laws: Helen Harris and Dorothy Benson and many nephews, nieces and friends.

A graveside service will be held at the Immaculate conception Catholic Cemetery in St. James at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 12, 2020 with Reverend Brendan Griffey officiating.  Pallbearers will be Bruce Benson, Greg Garver, Richard Grotha, Brian Chitwood, Ron Ousley and Michael Maddalon.  Social distancing and masks are required.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. James Catholic Cemetery or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.jonesfunerals.com. All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home of St. James.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank Frances Gnemi, please visit our floral store.