John “Jack” Henry Frawley, 93, of Whitewater, passed away on Sept. 20, 2015, at his home.
Jack was born in Milwaukee on Sept. 8, 1922, the son of John G. and Frieda (Pfeifer) Frawley. He attended Whitewater High School and graduated from Pius XI High School in Milwaukee, in 1942.
Jack served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 until 1946. He served under fire while participating in military action against Japanese forces on the Guadalcanal, participated in the assault and capture of Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, and participated in action against Japanese forces at Saipan in the Marianas Islands. Jack was awarded a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
After his service, he returned to Whitewater and he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In 1948, Jack took over the Cites Service Oil distributorship from Harvey Larson. This was the beginning of Frawley Oil Company, which still exists today as a third generation company. Jack still served as company president and was at work everyday.
On Oct. 16, 1954, Jack married Betty Nienhaus of Bassett, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Wilmot.
Jack served as the Walworth County Veterans Service Officer for 20 years, and was a charter member of the Whitewater Rotary Club. He was also a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Whitewater, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Frawley, Whitewater; son, Michael J. (JoAnne) Frawley, Whitewater; daughter, Ellen K. (Gary) Hartley, Anna, Texas; grandchildren, Paula (Kurt) Frawley Wegner, Elkhorn, Justin Astin, Whitewater, Philip (Jeanette) Frawley, Whitewater, Brian (Danielle) Frawley, Whitewater, Holley (Scott) Hartley Tiemann, Hockley, Texas, and William (Devon) Hartley, Anna, Texas; brother, Robert (Louise) Frawley, Whitewater; and four great-grandchildren, Trinity, Regan, Audrey and Brady.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond Pfeifer, and Jim Frawley; and two sisters, Margaret Fuhs, and Rosebud Truman.
A mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main St., Whitewater, with the Rev. Mark Niehaus celebrating. Burial with Military Rites will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Whitewater.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater.
Memorials may be made to the Whitewater Food Pantry or to the Sound System Project at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family: www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.
