Franklin "Frank" D. Bugner

Franklin Delano Bugner, 86, of rural Tiffin, passed away Monday morning, July 27, 2020 at the Cleveland Clinic.

On January 30, 1934 in Alvada, Frank was born to Joseph N. and Agnes M. (Lafontaine) Bugner.  He married Marilyn Jean Sperow on November 21, 1953, she preceded him in death in 2014.

He is survived by a brother, Steven R. Bugner of Fostoria; sisters, Jane (Herm) Vande Kerkhoff of Fostoria and Mary Jo (Michael) Dudgeon of Florence, SC; sister in law, JoAn Bugner of Fostoria; many nieces, nephews, and cousins and very close friends, Jeff and Lisa Snyder and family of Sycamore.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn; brothers, Martin J., William L. and Lowell F. Bugner; sisters-in- law, Lois, Marilyn and Rose Bugner.

Frank was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a 1952 graduate of St. Wendelin Catholic School and attended the Martinsville School of Farriery, He joined the U.S. Navy Reserves and later was drafted into the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged on November 7, 1961.  He was an over the road truckdriver for years and after an accident in New York, he worked at the State Hospital from 1960 to 1990 and retired as the Plant Maintenance Superintendent.  While at the State Hospital he started workshops for the residents and was the one who started the Halloween Parade in 1967, which today is Tiffin’s largest Holiday parade.  Frank and Marilyn raised, boarded and showed horses and opened Riverview Stables and Farriery.  Frank was known at county fairs around the country for his horseshoeing.  Wayne Newton even offered him a job in Las Vegas, but he turned him down.  He was a man that had to be busy all the time, while holding a full-time job, owning and running his stables, he also enjoyed farming.  He restored antique farm machinery and antique cars and was invited to different shows and events around the country.  He served on the Board of Directors at the School of Opportunity and did so from 1992 to 1999, serving as Chairman of the Board for the last two years, served on the Board of Directors at Norwesco Industries and was a Life Member of the Tiffin Eagles and the Pioneer Car Club.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 1:30 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Szybka officiating.  Burial will follow in Sandridge Cemetery in Bascom with military honors by the New Riegel American Legion.

Friends may visit and share stories on Saturday, August 1, 2020 from 10:30-1:00 P.M. at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, OH, 419-447-2424.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to the St. Wendelin Education Fund.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.

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