Retha Mae (Rubeck) Frank

Retha Mae (Rubeck) Frank, 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 24, 2022.

Retha was born to the late Roy “Mac” and Bryl Rubeck on Dec. 12, 1940 in Owen County.

Retha was a member of the Jordan Village Presbyterian Church. She worked in her dad’s sawmill after school making chicken coops. She also worked at Houk’s Village during her high school years. During high school, she was involved in many activities. She was a flag twirler and a cheerleader. Retha graduated from Cloverdale High School in 1959.

On July 3, 1959, Retha married Jack Frank.

Retha loved to sew. She often sewed for other people. Her favorite type of sewing was the stuffed animals she made. They were original and as close to a real animal as she could get, right down to the hickory nut that her stuffed squirrel would be holding. She set up at Mansfield for many years. She also loved going to garage sales and buying dishes — a lot of dishes.

Retha and Jack were a very talented couple, from building their own home to making wooden boxes and buckets. Retha also loved her dogs, cats and goats. She worked outside of the home while the kids were in high school. She worked at Oran Rubeck’s Sawmill for a time and then at Mallory’s in Greencastle.

Retha was preceded in death by Jack; her parents; brothers Gean Rubeck, Charles Rubeck and Irven Rubeck; and sister Kathryn Navel.

Retha is survived by her daughter, Patti (Scott) Malone, and son, Gary Frank; sisters-in-law Geraldine Rubeck, Carol Magness, Evie Frank and Betty Frank; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 29 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Whitaker Funeral Home, Cloverdale, with funeral services beginning at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Poland Chapel Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at www.whitakerfuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association: https://act.alz.org/donate.