Francis "Frank" Charles Wondrasch Jr.

Frank was born May 28, 1934, in Bronx, NY, the son of Francis C. Wondrasch and Adelaide Lares. He passed away in his sleep on Jan. 26, 2026, in Asheville, NC at 91 years of age.

Frank grew up in Yonkers, NY. He graduated from Roosevelt HS and immediately joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was a flight navigator during the Korean War. After military service, Frank went to New York University on the GI bill, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Frank went to work at United Parcel Service, where he worked for his entire career, retiring as the National Safety Manager.

Immediately after college, Frank married Gail Dixon and had four children, all of whom were raised in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. They were married for 34 years.

Frank’s hobbies included gymnastics, swimming and bicycling in his early years, and skeet shooting in his later years, where he had won numerous awards. However, his favorite activity was piloting his own airplane. Frank was a member of the Octogenarian Pilots Association, and wore his hat and jacket proudly.

Several years after the death of his first wife, Frank married Barbara Coats. They were married for 30 years, and enjoyed traveling the world together.

Frank was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail A. Wondrasch, his sister Phyllis Mooney, his daughter Tammy A. Hochrein, and his second wife Barbara Coats-Wondrasch. He is survived by three children, his son Craig F. Wondrasch (wife Linda), of Bluffton, SC, his daughter Stacy A. Schnabl, of Binghamton, NY, and his daughter Kara A. Sander (husband Peter), of Schroon Lake, NY, and his son-in-law Raymond Hochrein, of New Milford, CT.

Grandchildren are Blake Wondrasch of MA, Gage Wondrasch (wife Caitlin) of Longmont CO, Karl Schnabl (wife Megan, daughter Quinn) of Owego NY, Brian Schnabl (wife Kayla) of Succasunna NJ, Peter Sander of Poughkeepsie, NY, Jessica Church (husband James) of Caroga Lake, NY, Matthew Hochrein of the Netherlands, Joseph Hochrein (wife Lily, son Noah), of Boston, MA, and Nicholas Hochrein (wife Keri) of Carlsbad, CA.

Step children are Shelley Coats Jones (husband Jerry), of Mer Rouge LA, John M. Coats (wife Becky), of Mer Rouge, LA, Thomas G. Coats (Deanne Garrelts) of Missouri City, TX, and Christopher L. Coats (wife Paula) of Baton Rouge, LA.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.