Frank John Unger, 81, of Vicksburg, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 19, 2026. Born on October 27, 1944, in Muskegon, Michigan, Frank was the son of Frank and Pauline (Arnoldi) Unger.
Frank’s early years were shaped by his strong Catholic upbringing. He attended Catholic seminary in his adolescent and high school years, served in the military, and continued on to college before earning a Master’s in Accountancy from Grand Valley State University. His education laid the foundation for a successful career as a controller for several manufacturing and printing businesses in southwest Michigan.
A proud veteran of the United States Army, Frank served as a clerk typist in Korea during the Vietnam War. His dedication was recognized with the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and an Expert M-14 medal.
Faith was central to Frank’s life. A devout Catholic and longtime member of St. Catherine of Siena Church for over 40 years, he contributed tirelessly to the parish community. He served as a cantor, sang in the church choir, participated in the parish council, and played an instrumental role in various updates and landscaping projects at the church. Frank was also a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years. As treasurer and organizer of events like the Tootsie Roll Drive and bingo nights at the local chapter, he embodied generosity and leadership.
Frank’s love for music extended beyond his church involvement; he was a tenor in the Kalamazoo Male Chorus and even served as its past president. His passion for singing brought joy to many and reflected his vibrant spirit.
An avid learner with an insatiable curiosity, Frank approached every challenge with determination. Whether it was building his own house on the lake or constructing aircrafts, he immersed himself fully in each endeavor. His love for aviation led him to attend air shows regularly and pursue glider pilot licenses. He also enjoyed gardening flowers and produce, sharing generously with family and friends.
Frank cherished time spent outdoors. He loved Lake Michigan and found peace sailing on his sailboat. Camping trips up north were among his favorite adventures, as were biking excursions and annual drives to Phoenix to celebrate Thanksgiving with family.
Family was at the heart of Frank’s life. He took immense pride in supporting his grandchildren in their activities ranging from sports to music and art. A gentle soul with a love for learning and teaching, he coached little league teams and taught catechism classes during his younger years
Frank also found joy in simple pleasures like playing cards with friends, creating exquisite stained glass pieces, finding the perfect ice cream place, exploring the sky with his telescope, and participating in weekly golf games through a church league.
Frank is survived by his daughters Jenny (Lou) Miller and Sue (Kevin) Bowling; grandchildren Dominic, Ryan, Luke (Megan), Mary, John, Parker, and Teddy; brothers Mick and Jerry; as well as countless friends who were touched by his warmth and generosity. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Connie Unger and parents Frank and Pauline Unger.
Visitation will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Home 3926 S. 9th St. Kalamazoo, Mi 49009 on Monday, April 27 from 5 to 7 PM when a rosary service will begin. Funeral services will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church 1150 W. Centre Ave. Portage, MI 49024 on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 and Mass following with Fr. Mark Vyverman presiding. A lunch reception will immediately follow the Mass at the church and Frank will be laid to rest with Connie at Ft. Custer National Cemetery with full military honors at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Frank’s memory to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church 1150 W Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49024, Knights of Columbus 32373 Red Arrow Hwy, Paw Paw, MI 49079 or Kalamazoo Male Chorus P.O. Box 2791, Kalamazoo MI 49003.
Please visit Frank’s memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with his family at https://www.langelands.com
