Franklin “Butch” E. Mayes, 80, of Rochester Mills, PA passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family.
The sixth out of the seven children born to Sylvester W. and Mabel B. (Humble) Mayes, he was born on June 23, 1943 in Punxsutawney, PA.
Frank was a graduate of Purchase Line High School and furthered his education by obtaining schooling in electronics.
He served in the US Army as a SP4 during the Vietnam War Era, spending much of his time as a radio operator.
On July 15, 1966, he wed Darlene V. (Clark) and they have shared over fifty-seven years of marriage.
A jack of all trades, Frank’s career was in the fields of electronics and construction.
In his spare time, he enjoyed doing carpentry and electrical projects on his own home and working on vehicles.
An avid outdoorsman, Frank loved hunting, fishing and camping. One of his favorite pastimes was mowing his lawn. Frank had a knack for repeatedly getting his lawn mower stuck and calling for his wife and daughters to come pull out the lawn mower from the “swamp” area.
Frank also enjoyed watching football and sports on television.
He earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Frank was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Punxsutawney, PA.
As a Gold Star parent, Frank was an honorary member of the Rossiter American Legion
Post #582.
Frank is survived by his wife, Darlene; his two daughters: Pamela Campbell and husband Jeffry of Valier, PA and Kimberly Mayes and fiancé Leonard Lang of Rochester Mills, PA, his three grandchildren: Shayne Campbell; Naya Lang and Amara Lang; his great grandson, Oliver Campbell; his brother, James Mayes and wife Audrey of FL and his sister, Shirley Smith of OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Christine Mayes, a member of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment who died during Desert Storm; his brother Sylvester Mayes, Jr. and his three siblings, who died as children: Ellen, Bob and Edward Mayes.
Family and friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd. in Hillsdale, PA, where a 1:00 p.m. funeral service will immediately follow the visitation on Saturday, Pastor Robert Bartlebaugh will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Rochester Mills, PA.
Visit www.rairighfh.com to sign Frank’s guestbook and share condolences.