Franz "Frank" Marquardt

Franz “Frank” Heinrich Nis Arthur Marquardt, 94, of 119 Marquardt Dr., Watsontown, died Sunday, April 20, 2014 at the Watsontown Nursing and Rehab Center.

Born September 11, 1919 in Lake Ariel, he was a son of the late Franz and Louise (Reer) Marquardt.

Frank was a graduate of Sullivan County High School, Sonestown. His first job was as timekeeper for Sullivan County Rural Electric, where he learned to climb poles on the line construction crew. Several years later he worked at Fort Lee, Virginia rewiring the military base. While there he met his future wife, the former, Doris Madge Erwin. They were married on June 7, 1942 and their loving relationship lasted for 60 years until her death on October 3, 2002.

Frank was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church (Delaware Run) for 72 years, where he served on the church council and gave his time to its upkeep. He was a member of the Watsontown Masonic Lodge #401 F & A M, attaining the 33rd degree and was a longtime member of the Delaware Township Planning Commission.

Frank worked in line construction for PP&L and Bell Telephone. He started his own business, F N Marquardt Line Construction and worked locally building both telephone lines and television cable lines. His crews also worked in Burlington, Vermont, Binghamton, NY, Reno, Nevada, Macon, Georgia, etc. In the early 50’s he and George Hughes bought the cable company in Wellsboro. Frank then bought Montgomery Video Corp. in Montgomery and created Community Systems, Inc. which brought cable television to Dushore, Muncy Valley and Sonestown; Collomsville and Oval; Middleburg, Kreamer and Paxtonville. In addition, he had a tree trimming crew for several years, owned a Laundromat in Montgomery and was a lifelong farmer.

Frank enjoyed working the land and for many years and had a heard of Texas Longhorn cattle. He hunted all his life both locally and in the western states. With a great love of nature, Frank often stated that Mother Nature often showed us how dumb we were.

Surviving are two daughters, Susan Clinger and Linda Salvatori, both of Watsontown; two brothers, Alton Marquardt, of Muncy and Arthur Marquardt, of Hughesville; one sister, Margareth (Sissy) Kilgus, of Watsontown; three grandchildren, Marc Maneval, Scot Maneval and his wife, Lori all of Watsontown and Danielle Clinger Phillips and her husband William, of Savannah, Georgia; ten great-grandchildren, Eric, Sara, Kurtis, Grace and Samantha Maneval, Sage, Taen, Sephora, Larissa and Sequarra Phillips; one great-great-granddaughter, Harper Rhoades; and a special niece, Deborah Fetterman.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, Edward Reer, Robert and Daniel Marquardt and one sister, Louise (Lady) Ledger.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Delaware Run), 6590 Musser Lane, Watsontown and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, where the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. with his minister, Interium Pastor Dan May.

Burial will follow in St. John’s Lutheran Church (Delaware Run) Cemetery.

The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church (Delaware Run), 6590 Musser Lane, Watsontown, PA 17777.

The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, 308 Main St., Watsontown.