BUEHNER, FRANCIS J. "FRANK", age 97, Beloved husband of the late Arlene (Seelye). Loving father of Eileen Spada, Alan (Rosemary), Dale (Marianne), Francine (Vinny), Brian, Thomas (Donna), Edwin (Elaine), Marie Vetrano (Dene), Paul, Raymond, Frank (Lisa) and Charles (Dawn).
Dear brother of 8 deceased siblings. Dear
grandfather of 22 and great grandfather of 18. WW II Navy Vet.
PLEASE MEET THE FAMILY AT CHURCH for the MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: TUES., July 28, 10:00 AM, St. Francis DeSales Church. Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery. VISITATION: SUN., JULY 26th, 2-6 AND MON., JULY 27th, 2-4 AND 6-8 AT ZABOR FUNERAL HOME, 5680 PEARL RD., PARMA (BETW. RIDGE & SNOW).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made "In trust of Raisin Canes", c/o Judy Martins, 7541 S. Hampton Dr., N. Royalton, OH, 44133,
www.RaisinCanes.org
.
To offer condolences, visit
www.ZaborFH.com
Frank Buehner, Age 97 was Aiming for 100, Senior Cleveland Entertainer's dream was to "pass up George Burns" by Judy Martins
Audiences across Northeast Ohio, young and old alike, will fondly remember Frank "Maurice" Buehner
for his successful 16
year run with the Raisin' Canes, senior vaudeville dancers from the Smallwood
Senior Center in Parma. He energetically performed his spot
on Maurice Chevalier solo routine well
over 1,000 times, dazzling the ladies with his uncanny resemblance to the French star and his charming
smile and hugs. He danced and kibitzed his way into their hearts to the song, "I'm Glad I'm not Young
Anymore."
Many enter show business at an early age, but NOT many have launched a career on the boards at age
80. In 1999 he visited the Smallwood Center in search of a pinochle game, and made a wrong turn into
the large mirrored room where the Raisin' Canes were rehearsing. The delighted group handed him a
cane, locked the door, and began teaching him their vaudeville dance routines. The rest is history. He'd
always loved dancing, but never dreamed he was destined to become be a tap
dancing vaudeville star
in his 80s and 90s. He loved to perform. Off stage, he'd often begin chatting with strangers in area
res
taurants while having supper, and ultimately be on his feet doing "Maurice," leading them in song. The
smiling waitresses and other diners would break into applause, just loving the fun.
Entertaining with the Raisin' Canes at countless events and facilities over the years, he was especially
inspired and gratified during performances at nursing homes by the brightened, smiling faces of the resi
dents. Their delight, grateful appreciation and hugs were "what he lived for."
Frank was fifth in a family of 10 children, growing up during the Great Depression on Cleveland's east
side, near League Park. For entertainment, he and his friends would gather outside with catcher's mitts
during Indians' games, hoping to catch a long fly or home run ball
and he had an amazing collection!
He remained a loyal and fervent fan of all Cleveland teams throughout his lifetime.
Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the U. S. Navy. He served from 1941 thru
1945,on the Commander's Flagship,
LSM 54
, in 7 major and 10 minor Pacific campaigns, including the
major battle at Leyte Gulf (formerly known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, and generally
considered to be the largest naval battle of
World War II
and, by some criteria, possibly the
largest naval
battle in history
.
Frank earned an Accounting Degree from Fenn College, and in 1949 married Arlene Seelye, a lovely
nursing graduate from St. Johns College. He started his own business, Consumers Products, which
later became Buehner's Office Supplies at West 58th and Detroit, during which time he served as Direc
tor of the National Office Machine Dealers Association, and officer of Cleveland Office Machine Dealers.
The couple and their growing family moved to Parma in 1958, becoming active members of St. Francis D
e Sales Church. Frank held many positions within the parish, including their Holy Name Society, and
among other honors was proud to have been voted their "Man of the Year."
Relinquishing the business to his son in 1986, Frank retired at age 69. He welcomed the extra time to
play pinochle, bowl on three leagues, but most especially to spend with his 12 children (9 sons and three
daughters) and their families (now 23 grandchildren and 18 great
grandchildren). He lost his beloved
Arlene in 1997, but treasured their nearly 50 years of love and devotion, happiness, travel, dancing and
especially raising their family together.
Frank said he had a "ticket for the midnight train." He passed away on July 22nd, 11:37 pm at Parma
Hospital, surrounded by his loving family and a lifetime of outstanding accomplishments and wonderful memories.
