Franklin Alan Shepel

Dr. Franklin “Frank” A. Shepel

Franklin “Frank” Alan Shepel died peacefully in Arizona surrounded by his family on February 18, 2025. Frank was born in Winton, MN on November 21, 1952 to Frank and Frances Shepel. He grew up in Ely, MN as the youngest son in their family of four children. Throughout his childhood Frank loved adventure, playing baseball, cowboy boots and hats, playing guitar and singing, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and other activities at the lake. Frank graduated from Ely High School in 1971 and then attended Vermillion State Junior College. This is where he met his soulmate and future wife of 52 years, Joan (Clark) Shepel. With the arrival of their only daughter, Sherri Lee, Frank and Joan’s close-knit family was complete. In the early years, they spent time in Duluth, MN where Frank earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. From there they moved to Salt Lake City, UT where he completed his Master’s Degree in Audiology from the University of Utah. Frank and Joan then settled in Jamestown, ND where he started his first job as an Audiologist. This was the beginning of a 47+ year mission to enhance the lives of countless patients with the gift of better hearing - thereby keeping them connected and engaged with their family, friends, and communities. With a desire for Joan to pursue a nursing degree at NDSU, they settled for almost two decades in Fargo, ND where they raised Sherri and made many wonderful memories with friends, families, and Dakota Clinic coworkers. In the 1990s, new opportunities arose with Starkey Hearing Center to use his expertise in Audiology to serve clients in Rochester, MN. Frank was a life-long learner. The call for continued personal growth led Frank to enroll in the Doctor of Audiology program through A.T. Still University in Arizona. He completed his Doctorate with Honors in 2005. Frank and Joan were ultimately drawn to their most prized gifts, their grandsons Kyle and Ryan, so they relocated to Casa Grande, AZ in 2006. A year later their gifts were completed with the arrival of Zach. From that point onward, Frank became fondly known as “Papa”. Frank was deeply devoted to Joan and they were always together living life, supporting each other, enjoying adventures, and holding hands. Frank was always eager to lend a helping hand to ANYone at ANYtime enjoying the accompanying challenges of a new project. He completed every task diligently and meticulously. His hobbies included woodworking, home improvement, yard work, and reading. He cherished spending time with his three grandsons and was their biggest hockey fan - making mental notes of their game stats and cheering the loudest from the stands. Frank officially retired in 2019 to spend more time with Joan, the family, and his hobbies; however, he did continue working with SoundPoint in Casa Grande and Tucson on a part-time basis. He graciously shared his extensive knowledge with colleagues and was honored to continue providing exemplary service to his patients. Even in his passing he was able to give to others needing organs and also tissues for the advancement of science and research. Frank exemplified a model life of love, service, faith, kindness, patience, and selflessness. 

Frank is survived by his devoted wife Joan, beloved daughter and son-in-law Sherri and Jonathan Koshiol, amazing grandsons Kyle, Ryan, and Zachary Koshiol as well as cherished siblings: Barbara Omerza, Lawrence “Larry” (MaryAnn) Shepel, Janice (Jerry) Skala, and loving sister-in-law Janice (Peter) Makowski together with treasured nieces and nephews: Tom (Heidi) Omerza, Tim (Patty) Omerza, Jane Mosher, Michael (Tasha) Shepel, Suzanne (Neil) Pozak, and Rachael (Kris) Turnbull, Jack Puhl, James (Jorge Meza) Puhl, Jeff (Kathy Haines) Puhl, John (Marylea) Puhl, Jesse (Dorrie) Puhl, Steven (Julie) Annis, David (Linda) Annis, Larry Annis Jr, Charlene (Todd) Auld. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Frances Shepel, in-laws Melvin and Evelyn Clark, Ronald Omerza, Joyce (Puhl) Annis, and Greg Mosher.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on March 3, 2025 in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Community Center, 150 N. Drylake St. Casa Grande, AZ with visitation at 9:00 am and a Rosary at 9:30 am. Lunch reception 11:30-1:30 at J Warren Funeral Services 525 N Peart Rd Casa Grande. Memorials are preferred and can be made to the Donor Network of Arizona (www.dnaz.org) in his memory.