Frank F. Preisendorfer

Pa. Sports Hall of Fame inductee, U.S. Army veteran

Frank F. Preisendorfer, 84, of Bentleyville, died Wednesday, September 7, 2011, in Southmont of Presbyterian SeniorCare, Washington.

He was born November 10, 1926, in Marianna, a son of George and Magdelena Friedsam Preisendorfer.

Mr. Preisendorfer was a 1944 graduate of Bentleyville High School.

A veteran of World War II, his service to his country began April 3, 1945, with the U.S. Army, and he was honorably discharged December 26, 1946, as a corporal. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.

He worked as a lab technician for the former Ferro Corp. in Washington.

Mr. Preisendorfer was a member of American Legion Post 165 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles 1809, both of Bentleyville, and a former member of Bentleyville Lions Club and Bentleyville Booster Club.

In May 1994, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Washington-Greene Chapter, for his countless hours of dedication to youth baseball in the Bentleyville community. He was a coach, mentor and a PIAA softball and baseball umpire.

He was instrumental in the campaigning of the 1960 drive to sell Kraft caramels in order to win a Little League baseball park for his boys and other youth players in Bentleyville. His commitment allowed him and his fellow community workers to sell enough candy to allow Bentleyville to win the contest. Caramel Park was then built and was home of the Caramel Kids.

Mr. Preisendorfer was an avid hunter and fisherman.

His wife, Leona Lane Preisendorfer, died January 20, 2002. They were married June 11, 1949, in First Baptist Church, Bentleyville.

Surviving are two sons, George Preisendorfer (wife Lisa) of Washington and Chris Preisendorfer of Bentleyville; four grandchildren, Lindsey Crothers (husband Justin), Gabreal Preisendorfer, Jenny Dunmore and Brian Preisendorfer (wife Veronica); two great-grandchildren, Abby and Camden Dunmore; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are two brothers, George Preisendorfer Jr. and Joseph Preisendorfer, and four sisters, Mary Ann Seidel, Elizabeth DiBuono, Rose Johnson and Marge Edgett.

Friends are welcome from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, 724-239-2255, where services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 10, with Pastor Layman Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Beallsville Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post 165 and the U.S. Army. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bentleyville Youth Baseball, c/o George Preisendorfer, 345 Woodridge Drive, Washington, PA 15301. Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message and share stories and photos.