Obituaries
Frank F. Filling, Jr., 94
Frank F. Filling, Jr., 94, of Landis Homes, formerly of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2012 surrounded by family. Born in Millersville, he was the son of the late Frank F. and Kathryn (Taylor) Filling.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel “Mae” (Hassis) Filling in 1999.
He was the retired President of Filling’s, Inc., Dry-cleaning, Men’s and Ladies Stores. He retired in 1987 after 53 years with the Filling Corp.
Frank served as President of the Central PA Drycleaners Guild and the PA Association of Professional Dry Cleaners. He was elected to the International Institute of Dry-cleaning Board of Directors and was instrumental in the formation of the International Fabricare Association with headquarters and school in Maryland.
In 1970, Frank received the coveted “Keystone Award” in recognition of the outstanding civic and industry achievements in PA.
Frank was very proud of the article written in the Wall Street Journal on the front page titled “The Venturers Frank Filling’s Financing of a Small Business in a Recession.” An article about small businesses dealing with banks.
He was a charter member of the Lancaster Sertoma Club. He served as President in 1956 and was Governor of Sertoma International 1957-1959. Frank was the first member to receive the Sertoman of the Year Award in 1983. He served as Chairman of Sertoma’s Chicken Barbecue in 1961, the year it made it to The Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Chicken Barbecue. He also holds the Club record of 54 years of consecutive perfect attendance.
He was a member of the Charles M. Howell #496 Masonic Temple.
Frank served his country in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during WWII and received the secretary of War Meritorious Service Award for saving crew members from a burning plane.
He was a charter member of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, served on Church Council, and was Chairman of the first church building program.
He organized the Lancaster Central PA “Better Business Bureau” and served as Chairman of the Board of Managers from 1978-1980. He served on the Board of the following organizations, Lancaster Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Longs Park Amphitheater Foundation, Millersville Meals on Wheels, and The “Gate House” Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation in Mountville for Women and in Lititz for Men. He was affiliated with “SCORE” (Service Corp. of Retired Executives), the Small Business Administration as Chairman in 1992 and won a citation as one of the best chapters in the USA. He was selected as a member of “SCORES’s” National “Counselor Development Program” and awarded “SCORE’s” Platinum Achievement Award for Counseling Achievements in 1995. He also served on the Millersville VFW Post 7294 Board of Directors.
Frank was an avid skier and served at President of the Roundtop 60 plus Ski Club.
Surviving, a son, Frank F. Filling III, of Rock Hall, MD, a daughter, Susan L. Arnold, wife of Craig E., of Lancaster, three grandchildren, Tom, Andrew, and Doug, two sisters, Mary Klemmer, of Mountville, Kay Straley, of Ronks, two brothers, Richard Filling, husband of Barbara, of Lititz, James Filling, husband of Linda, of Lititz and a sister in law, Kitty Filling, of Millersville. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Echterling, and two brothers, Albert and Jay William Filling.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Service on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 11AM at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church 3131 Columbia Ave. Lancaster, PA 17603 with The Rev. Burton J. Parry officiating. Viewings will be held on Wednesday from 7-9PM in the Chapel at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike and again at the church on Thursday from 10-11AM. Interment will be held in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frank’s memory to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church or the Millersville VFW Post 7294 219 Walnut Hill Rd. Millersville, PA 17551. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100
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Condolences to the Family
August 24, 2017
Susie…your Dad was the best….and your were the most beautiful girl I ever saw …you took my breath away
an ole ole friend
To All the Fillings,
I just now saw the obituary of Frank. My mom, Lila, sister Susan, and I have fond memories of his gentle nature. He would be at family gatherings at times, with his sister, my Aunt Betty. My father, Joseph Echterling, Betty’s brother-in-law, was fond of him as well. I was not in his company often, but because he was the exceptional person whom he was, my clear memory of him has remained vivid after so many years. I hope that you can take comfort in your knowledge of how great a man he was. Sending love to you:
Jane Echterling, daughter of Joseph G. and Lila J. Echterling
We are so sorry we cannot be with you today; but our prayers and love are with you. Your father is now in a better place and he will always be
missed. It was our pleasure to have known him.
Our love to all,
Nan & Pop
Filling family, you’re in my thoughts and prayers. Have known Frank for 50 years, dealing with him at Fulton Bank, Mountville. Have been friend and neighbor with sister Mary for many years. God be with you.
Ron Wachob
Dear Sue, Craig & family,
Deepest sympathy in the loss of your father. I hope you’re all doing well.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Cathy Vollrath (prev Hinds)
Dear Susie and family, i am sorry to hear of your fathers passing. He was always so kind and attentive to me. It was so easy to flirt with him because of his good nature! I never felt alone in a room if he was there.
Love,
Monica Farrell
Our condolences to the entire Filling Family. Frank was a kind man , gentleman and a Business and Civic Leader. I remember him for many years at the Sertoma Chicken Bar B Que and he always greeted you with a warm and friendly Smile. He also had nice words for me about my Father, P. Walter Murray, who passed away in 1979. Frank lead a long and rewarding life. RIP.
Paul B Murray and the entire Murray family
Hugs and prayers to you all. My Dad and Mom were good friends with Frank. He was a wonderful and kind man. I remember many fun times with your family and many chicken barbecues, packing food the day before, and working there on the day of helping in the pickup line.
Your Dad was a hard worker and did much in the volunteer field.
May God bless you guys in this time of sorrow.
Fondly,
Barbara, Susan, Diane and Phil York
Frank and Susie (and family),
My love to all of you at this time. Your Dad was a wonderful Uncle and will always hold a special place in my heart as my Godfather. I will always hold dear all the fond memories of him and Aunt Mae and all the wonderful family memories we shared. Cherish the good times and rejoice that he is with your Mom in a better place!
Susie & Frankie, Sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. He had a very rich and rewarding life as a civic leader and genuinely a fine gentleman, father and husband. It certainly brought back fond memories for me of the times around your family as a kid.
Keep those memories with you at this time. Best of health to both of you and your families.
Bob McGaw
Jupiter, FL
Frank & Susie:
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was a good man. I have many fond memories of the years that I worked for him at the "plant". I’ll always remember seeing the ‘silver bullet’ pull up the driveway each morning. Sending my prayers for your comfort and strength at this time.
Dawn Bullock
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Filling family. Frank did a lot for Millersville and my
dad always spoke highly of Frank.
Bill Brackbill.
