Francis D. Hannell Sr.

Francis “Frank” Dignam Hannell of Lynchburg Virginia died Saturday, May 9, 2015. Frank goes to join his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Anne Smith Hannell who died April 21, 2015. Frank and Betty shared an enduring and devoted relationship, which lasted almost 72 years. Their union is now everlasting. He was the youngest of five children born to the late William Weldale Hannell and Alice Sambrook on May 5, 1920 in Colonie, New York. His siblings who preceded him in death are John W. Hannell, George S. “Sam” Hannell, Dorothy H. Robinson and William W. Hannell, Jr.

Having a significant visual impairment from birth, a Methodist minister read Frank all his school lessons to him at home, from grade school until he graduated from high school. He later attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where his classmates read his homework to him and all his exams were taken orally. Frank graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1942. He worked for the Federal Telephone and Radio Corp. in Newark, N.J. from 1943 to 1951. Later that year he went to work for General Electric in Utica, New York. In 1959, he helped General Electric open a new plant in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1974, he again helped General Electric open a plant in Florence South Carolina. He retired there in 1982, as manager of Product Maintenance Engineering. Frank was a mentor to all who worked with him, always striving for excellence. In 1985 he returned to Lynchburg to be closer to family.

Frank is survived by a son Francis Dignam Hannell Jr. and his wife Kim, of Huddleston, Va. and a daughter Karen Elizabeth Hannell Merryman and her husband Robert, of Rustburg, Va., seven grandchildren, Dean Hannell, Jon Hannell, Robbie Merryman, Christine Merryman Pickett, Sarah Merryman Webber, Abby Hannell and Erika Hannell and nine great grandchildren. Also numerous nieces and nephews. Frank dearly loved his family.

Frank, better known as W4EZE, was an avid Ham radio operator working events such as Hurricane Camille and most recently helping to install an emergency communications set up for the local Red Cross. Frank joined the Evening Star Masonic Lodge in 1942. Frank and Betty were inseparable with their extensive volunteer activities which included the Crisis Line, Daily Bread, Gateway, Meals on Wheels, The Virginia Ten Miler and relaying messages for servicemen and women serving in the Persian Gulf. Frank and Betty were very active with the Episcopal Church wherever they lived serving as Sunday school teacher & Superintendent and vestry member, most recently with Grace Memorial Episcopal Church. Frank shared his deep and abiding faith in all things holy with anyone who touched his life. He was part of the Greatest Generation that survived wars, depression and contributed to the greater community during his faithful journey among us.

The family will receive friends at Whitten Timberlake Chapel on Thursday, May 14, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

A celebration of Frank's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2015 at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church with The Very Reverend Catharine Montgomery officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, 1021 New Hampshire Avenue, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502.

To send condolences online, please visit www.whittentimberlake.com.