Sedeliademocrat Sedelia, Missouri 02-14-04 -Vernon E. Frank, 70, of Versailles, died Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. He was born Aug. 30, 1933, in Clayton, Kan., a son of Clarence Edward and Mary Violet Thiesen Frank. On April 12, 1957, in Pensacola, Fla., he was married to Mary Soday, who survives of the home. Mr. Frank was a retired Navy officer and Silver Star recipient. He was a naval aviator for 20 years, serving three tours in Vietnam. He earned three military firsts while serving in Vietnam. He was part of the first successful night in-flight refueling from a destroyer, the first successful night rescue in a combat area and was part of the first air squadron to operate from a carrier. He played basketball and golf at Phillips University in Enid, Okla. He was a basketball coach for 40 years. He coached boys basketball at St. Mary's College in Maryland; girls basketball at State Fair Community College and high school basketball; Optimist basketball teams; and was a player and coach while in the Navy. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Versailles, where he was a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. He also was a member of the Missouri Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Women's Basketball Association, Missouri Women's Basketball Coaches Association (ranked 12th with 328 wins), United States Golf Association, the Retired Officers and the Versailles Optimist Club. He was the huddle leader for the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was an avid golfer and a five-time marathon competitor. Also surviving are a son, Vernon William "Peanut" Frank, of Columbia; four daughters, Patricia Ann Swisher, of Mexico, Mo., Cindy Lee Campbell, of Versailles, Melodi Lynn Hendrickson, of Springfield, and Mary Kim "Tuffy" Wisdom, of Eureka; a brother, Neil LaVern Frank, of Houston; and 12 grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Versailles, with the Rev. Todd Forman officiating. Burial will be at Versailles Cemetery, with military rites at graveside. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles. The family suggests memorial contributions to the local chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.