Frank Stephen Terrill

Frank grew up in the Sylvania, OH area and graduated from Northview High School in 1965. He had one older brother, Howard Eugene Terrill, Jr. (Gene) who preceded Frank’s death on January 2, 2022.

Frank and Gene grew up in Sylvania, OH and were quite the pair. Along with their cousin David Trebbing of Ashabula, OH, they spent summers in Pennsylvania on their grandparents' farm, playing in the creek, chasing chickens and finding mischief wherever they could.

During his high school years, Frank discovered an interest in mechanics and fast cars. Often sharing stories of driving through corn fields, “kicking up gravel”, and just barely getting caught.

Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and, after kissing his sweetheart, Joanna Kay, goodbye, he flew across the ocean where he was stationed in RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, England as an airplane mechanic.

By early 1968, Joanna could no longer stay away, and at the young age of 18, she flew to England to join Frank. On August 22, 1968, during a small ceremony, and finally being granted a long overdue leave, Frank married the love of his life. Frank loved telling the story of being told by his C.O. “I only granted you this leave because your Mother wrote me a letter, demanding you have enough time off to ‘get married already’. Now go get married, I don’t want to ever get another letter from your mother.”

Anxious to start their family, Matthew Craig Terrill was welcomed into their new family on June 7, 1969. Shortly after Frank was transferred back to the states where he and his little family lived in Castle Air Force Base, near Atwater, CA. It was California where Frank was able to truly embrace his love for the outdoors, and enjoyed time with his wife and baby boy, taking small trips to go hiking, camping, fishing, and navigating Yosemite National Park.

After completing his time with the Air Force, Frank was honorably discharged and piled himself, his family and all of their belongings into the car and hit the road to drive across the country back to Ohio. Once home, Frank began work at Bingham Stamping in Toledo, OH, while Joanna worked alongside her twin Joan in the salon they owned in Sylvania, OH. Before long, Frank and Joanna welcomed their second child, Jennifer Lynn on September 12, 1974. A boy and a girl; they felt their family was complete.

Frank loved being a husband and father and he worked hard to provide the best, even when times were hard, his children never knew it. He took every opportunity he could to expose them to a life that slowed down, was quiet and peaceful. Nature and the outdoors is where Frank felt most at home; being on the water, in a boat, with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Family vacations consisted of long road trips to Rice Lake in Southeastern Ontario Canada. Trips where Frank would once again, pack up his family, joined by his brother, Gene, Sister-in-law Joan, niece Amy and other extended family to travel to a peaceful place with epic sunsets, quiet sunrises, and all the fish needed to feed everyone for a week. Frank relished the idea of spending a week where there were no TV’s, phones, or distractions of city life. Allowing his children to explore, fish, swim, get sunburned and forget about anything other than what fresh fish caught that day tasted like, and how the laughter of adults playing cards long into the night would lull them to sleep.

He wanted to raise his children in a home full of music, laughter, and love. Frank was a self taught guitar player, learning by ear; inheriting his singing abilities from his mother. Incorporating music into every opportunity he could, Frank encouraged his children and family to sing along and never cared who was out of tune or off beat. Frank would take Joanna to dance nearly every weekend, they danced at weddings, the VFW post gatherings, festivals, and anywhere there was space to move. They floated on the dance floor and were never out of step.

In addition to Frank’s connection with nature and outdoor sports, he loved cars, building and remodeling his homes, and could have been considered a “flipper” before “flipping” houses became popular. Golf was another love of Franks and he played well into retirement, even working at Legacy Golf Course in exchange for free time on the links.

As years passed, Frank and Joanna were blessed to be grandparents four times over. Elizabeth (26), Sarah (25), Luke (20), Giada (18). There wasn't a play, musical, dance recital, soccer or volleyball game, track meet, science fair, birthday party, graduation or celebration that they missed. Devoted and smitten are two words to best describe how Frank felt toward his grandchildren.

Frank was a lover of the moments spent creating memories. Sure, he liked “toys”, good fishing rods, tying his own flies, and golf clubs, but it was moments, it was memories, it was quality time spent that meant the most to him. Even after his son was grown, and was home from his time in the Air Force, Frank and Matt would plan trips together to stay connected to each other, God, and county. Week-long trips were painstakingly planned so they could “unplug” and do what they loved most; fishing, sitting around a fire sharing stories, playing cards, laughing, and enjoying the moments that created memories.

Frank and Joanna enjoyed trips for themselves as well. He loved to take her on road trips, visiting places they had never seen, and eventually, he was able to take her back to the England she fell in love with. Even if for a short while, he created that memory for her, which she cherished the rest of her days.

Throughout his life, Frank looked for peace, and found that creative ways like painting, sketching, and woodworking. Eventually, he and Joanna would travel to local fairs and festivals to set up a booth and sell his paintings. Many friends and family are now blessed to have some of his work hanging on their walls. He never lost the desire to learn more techniques, try new mediums, approaches, and perspectives. His work works were a reflection of how he was holding moments and memories within himself.

Community was important to Frank and he found an amazing community at Little Flower Catholic Church during a CHRP retreat. From that experience on he never looked back. The moments with God and the memories created that one weekend fortified a new awakening in Frank that he was not prepared for, but embraced without abandon. His relationship with Christ became his new and most important desire. Frank’s community grew and along with Joanna, they built an even bigger family through the ACTS movement, that they both cherished for the remainder of their years with us. God and His Son Jesus Christ were the new grounding force for Frank, and he sought to never lose sight of his blessings, lessons, and the importance of forgiveness and redemption; both for himself and others. Frank became fearless in his witness testimonies and became alive when he would talk about how anyone could find solace and acceptance with the Lord, regardless of the road they walked beforehand. Of all of the memories Frank created for himself, it was evident, the memories of relinquishing himself over to the Grace and guidance of God were Frank’s most holy and cherished.

To Fr. Dave Nuss, Sr. Marilyn Marie Ellerbrock, and the entire ACTS community of Little Flower Parish, we want to thank you for welcoming our Father and Mother into your family, serving alongside them, and growing in Faith with them.

To the staff and nurses of Elara Caring Hospice, specifically Sarah and Shawne; your love, care, compassion and dedication to not only our Father, but to all of those you serve, our most heartfelt appreciation and love go back to you.

To Frank we say, you were a faithful husband, loving father, admiring grandfather, dedicated brother, loyal friend, proud veteran, and devoted follower of Christ. Where these words may describe you, they never defined you, because those who loved and knew you most, truly knew, you were so much more.

We know you are dancing with Mom in Heaven, and you both look absolutely lovely.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in memory of Frank.

https://osvhub.com/little-flower-toledo/giving/funds