Frank L. Erl, age 90, a resident of Wheaton, and a former longtime resident of Medford, WI, died Monday, December 8, at home. He was born January 20, 1918 in Medford, WI.

Frank graduated from the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering in Madison, WI. He served in World War II as a Captain of the 82nd Airborne Engineering Division 307. He was decorated with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for bravery. The campaigns that he fought in included Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland, and the Battle of the Bulge. He co-piloted a glider on D-Day that entered France and captured a German unit.

After the war he moved to Chicago and married his college sweetheart, Dorothy Gelhaus, in 1947. He was a civil engineer and then became the sales manager for ACCO Industries, a manufacturer of conveyor systems, in Chicago. He developed the first conveyor system for O'Hare International Airport.

He was a lifelong Catholic and active in the following parishes: he was the president of Holy Name Society for St. Gertrude's in Franklin Park, IL, he was also the treasurer of St. Rene's in Sterling Heights, MI, and a faithful attender at St. Michael's in Wheaton, IL. He has been sharing his inspiring story as a World War II veteran, to middle and high school students for the past 15 years.

He is survived by seven children, Barbara (Dr. James) Ruppel, Kathryn (Harry King) McCarthy, John (Diane) Erl, Steven (Rose) Erl, Angela (Alan Bergeson) Mejia, Rita (Terrence) McGovern, and Peter (Lisa) Erl; 15 grandchildren, David, Julianne, and John Ruppel; Ryan and Dan McCarthy; Elizabeth and TJ Erl; Peter Erl; Sara (Vance) Eaton; Max, Jack and Thomas McGovern; Kevin, Jennifer and Jeffrey Erl; one great-granddaughter, Sophia Eaton; two sisters, Ann Steger and Helen Holmgren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Dorothy; his brother, Walter; and his sister, Lucille Ruby.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, from 4-8 P.M at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 13 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., in Wheaton. Prayers will be said at the funeral home at 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in Wheaton.

Memorial gifts may be directed to CNS Hospice, 690 E. North Ave., Carol Stream, IL 60188.