frank vorhees
Frank Millen “Mel” Vorhees, of Weirton, WV, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all he encountered, who dedicated countless hours to serving his community, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday with his daughters at his side. He was 91 years old. Mel, the younger of two sons, was born on February 16, 1931, to Frank Burns Vorhees and Beatrice Pauline (Francy) Vorhees in Wheeling. He attended Linsly Military Institute where he was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps and played Taps at the funerals of soldiers killed in action and laid to rest overseas. Always valuing education and committed to life-long learning, Mel graduated from Triadelphia High School in 1950 and, later in life, received a bachelor’s degree from West Liberty University and a master’s degree from West Virginia University. Mel met Joan Henderson in 1946, and they married after a long courtship on October 18, 1952. Mel and Joan were blessed with three daughters, Carol Ann, Donna Jean, and Mary Ruth, grandchildren Joe Kraina and Lauren Zeigler, and two great-grandchildren Brooks and Collins Kraina. Joan was a supervisor at the Mary H. Weir Library, and Mel worked at Weirton Steel in the Education and Training Department and taught at Jefferson Technical Community College. Committed to service throughout his life, Mel joined the U.S. Navy after high school where he served at Parris Island in Beaufort, South Carolina, as a dental technician and reached the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. Mel nourished his faith at the First Christian Church in Weirton where he sang in the choir and served as a deacon, a member of the Church Board, and as an Elder. Mel spent countless hours serving his community through the Jaycees, Junior Achievement, Radio Watch, and the Rotary Club. He volunteered at Weirton Medical Center and taught an AARP driver’s training course for over 25 years. He was a kind, generous friend to all, so it’s no surprise that upon meeting someone new, his daughters frequently heard the same cheerful refrain “Oh, you're Mel’s daughter!” Even with so much time devoted to work and volunteering, Mel always put his family first, giving them lots of love and laughter. On summer days, he could be spotted in his backyard playing dodgeball with his daughters and other kids from the neighborhood. He was also the consummate “monster,” chasing his giggling young daughters around the house. Mel was never afraid to turn his glasses upside down and stick a twizzler up his nose for a laugh. An avid tinkerer, Mel loved working on cars with his friend Art Coburn, doing projects around the house, and spending hours at his basement workbench teaching his kids and grandkids how to use tools properly. Mel was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife, Joan, of 51 years, his brother Gareth “Garry” and his wife Dorothy, and his sister- and brother-in-law Martha and Jack Robinson. He is survived by his three daughters: Carol Vorhees-Zeigler, her husband Jim and daughter Lauren; Donna Vorhees, her husband Andrew Gottlieb and his children Lauren and Alex; and Mary Ruth Kraina, her husband John and son Joe Kraina, and Joe’s wife Kaitlin (Varner) and their children Brooks and Collins. Friends and relatives will be received on Friday, April 22nd from 4 PM until 7 PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV, where services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, April 23rd. Rev. Kevin Bowers will preside. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Mel’s honor to the First Christian Church, 3252 Main St, Weirton, WV. Mel’s family would like to thank the extraordinarily dedicated and kind staff at Wyngate Senior Living Community for all the care they provided to their father and grandfather this past year. Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com.

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  1. Carol, Donna & Mary Ruth, I was very honored and blessed to know Your dad. He will be remembered with love and laughs. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Linda and Ed

  2. It was my privilege to know and work with Mel at Weirton Steel on many training projects. He was always the best, most professional and friendly co worker and mentor one could hope for. I pray his family and friends will find consolation in God’s comfort and care. Sincere condolences. Delores King, Weirton, WV

  3. We were saddened to learn of Mel’s passing. Our deepest sympathies to the entire family. Mel was a great person and a joy to be around. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. Tom, Shelley, Callyn and Kinley Zeigler

  4. Sending my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family at the loss of your beloved Mel. With love, Faye Francy

  5. Carol and family: I am so sorry for your loss. He was always such a pleasant man at Weirton Steel. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  6. Donna I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Ann Zacharchuk

  7. Mr. Vorhees was one of my mentors at Junior Achievement. He was a wonderful man and I’ve thought of him often in the almost 60 years since then. Mel, you helped so many. Rest in Peace. Sharon Davis Green (thanks to Mel, Secretary of the Year ’65, runner-up President of the Year ’66)

  8. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Vorhees. He was one of my JA Advisers, and I owe a lot to him. I won The Secretary of the Year Award in 1968. I thought a lot of him. May he R.I.P. You are all in my thoughts prayers, during this difficult time. 😢 🙏 😢

  9. May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time, May you come to know that the love of God is with you always, May your memories of Frank Millen Vorhees, give you peace, comfort and strength… Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete. I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers to the family of …. US Navy Veteran, Frank Millen Vorhees, is “A True American Hero” God Bless† † Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †

  10. Most wonderful man! He was my J.A. advisor back in the late 1970’s. He always had a charismatic persona. Junior Achievement of Weirton was so much richer with him and Sam Klinvex of Weirton Steel. Thoughts and prayers for family and friends.

  11. Mel was a very special, quiet soul, he made me giggle on many occasions, he was always concerned about me and my health, even when asked not to, we had some long talks about his life, and I was always fascinated, I will truly miss him, he has a piece of my heart. Thanks to his family for sharing him with us for awhile. Prayers to all of you.

  12. Mel will be missed. He is one of the most interesting person i have met in my life. We had a similar sense of humor & outlook on life. Carol, Donna, & Mary (all nick-named ‘Sam’), my condolences. I will always remember he & I staying up late into the night and into the morning at the kitchen table at the house talking about our lives. That will forever be with me. As is more true for you, a part of Mel will be a part of me – forever. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers I donate $150 to the first Christian church in his name. (P.S. – I think the car did pull to the right a little bit).


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