April 1, 1928 ~ December 28, 2020
Franklin Carroll Bollinger, 92, passed away on December 28, 2020 at North Kansas City Hospital due to pneumonia complications.
Franklin was born April 1, 1928 to Clarence F. and Bertha M. (Carroll) Bollinger in Mosby. The family moved to Excelsior Springs, Missouri where Franklin was raised and graduated in 1946 from Excelsior Springs High School. He attended and graduated in 1951 from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville. Franklin served his country as a counterintelligence agent, U.S. Army, during the Korean War, 1951-53. While in the military, Franklin married Jacqueline F. Holub, August 10, 1952, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. From this blessed union, they created a loving family of five children.
Franklin was best known by the community of Excelsior Springs for owning and operating the Dari-B (1954) Ice Cream Store and Dari-B Car Wash (1977).
Franklin was sort of a daredevil, very competitive and always up for new challenges. He led an exciting life. He was known for hunting Native American artifacts in local fields, competing in downhill NASTAR skiing, hang gliding off Kansas and Missouri hills, panning for gold in Alaska, and scuba diving in the Grand Cayman Islands. Most would say his favorite activity was competing in Senior Olympics (1995-2017), where he consistently qualified for National Senior Games. Franklin was blessed with many opportunities and never gave up competing until his last Missouri Show Me Games at the age of 89. Not only did he love competing, but he also enjoyed being an avid sports fan of Excelsior Springs High School athletics.
Franklin was an active and faithful member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, served as a trustee for the Missouri Archaeological Society, and was a member of the American Legion and a member of the Excelsior Springs Athletic Hall of Fame. He also was a Hall of Fame athlete as a member of the Northwest Missouri State’s 1949 and 1950 indoor and outdoor track championship teams.
Franklin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Daniel Gryder; and sister, Phyllis Parle.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline of the home; daughters, Susan McAuliffe, Karen (Jeff) Southwick, and Mary (Doug) Parker; sons, Mark (Karen) Bollinger and Michael (Jane) Bollinger; grandchildren, Lindsey (Kris) Zeid, Kane Southwick, Emily (Brett) Baldwin, Bailey (Alatini) Finau, Drew Parker, and Ryan Parker; great-grandchildren, Brenna and Faye Baldwin, Isi Finau and one blessing to come.
Franklin would say that his greatest accomplishments were his 68 years of marriage to his beautiful bride, Jacqueline, and fathering his five children, Susan, Mark, Karen, Michael and Mary.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Excelsior Springs, with a memorial service following at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will follow service at the church. Burial will be at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
I am so sorry for your loss. I know he will be greatly missed.
Christine (Soutter) Dugan
Sorry for your loss. He’ll be missed by many.
Scott Peebles
We are so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. What a great man he was. Thinking of and praying for the entire family.
Brett and Kathy Ivey
I am so sorry to hear this. My sincerest condolences to all the family. Prayers for comfort for all.
Judy (Hardison) Domann
To the whole Bollinger family, my heart hurts along with you, he was just the best! Hugs and Prayers.
Haldeen
Frank had such a wonderful smile and always happy. I feel so blessed to have known him. Rest In Peace dear friend!!
Jeanne Buckman
We’re so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Much love to you all.
Doc and Jeri Cantrell
So sorry to hear of your family’s loss. He was such a good guy and friend. Blessings and prayers to you all.
Kristy Carroll
Jackie & family, we were so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Sending our sympathies to you.
Zane & Vicki Baker
We so enjoyed knowing Franklin. He always told the best stories. He was a great man.
Carolyn and Dennis Finnigan
I’m so sorry for your loss. I remember your parents and sister when we were growing up. He has a wonderful wife and loving family. Wonderful children and a great community man. So sorry to all the Bollinger’s.
Ruby Dickey
To the family of Franklin, we are so sorry for your loss. To all the children your dad was a great man and a wonderful family. So sorry for your loss.
Kay & Stuart Carrico
Grandfather was such a sweetheart. I always enjoyed laughing with him at family gatherings. A beautiful man, who lead a beautiful family! My all time favorite memory was when he mistook my name from Katja for Cocktail haha. He will truly be missed but always loved.
Prayers of comfort and healing for the family and all who loved Franklin.
Katja
Mary, so sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers to you and your family.
Michelle Jackson
So many fond memories of your husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather. Such a kind man and big promoter of Excelsior. He was a friend to all and will be so very missed.
Deborah Wendleton-McRill
So sorry to hear of Franks passing. He was truly a great man. Always up beat and happy. Always enjoyed running in to him from time to time. We would have some dandy conversations. Prayers and condolences to the family. Rest in Peace, my Ole friend.
Tom and Rona Anderson
Thanks Frank for all of the contributions that you provided to the city of Excelsior Springs and your life dedicated to your family, church, and betterment of community. You made Excelsior Springs a better place to live and raise my children. Never forgotten, Doreen and family.
Doreen Chandler
We are so very sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. We both have many memories of wonderful visits with him. From early days of the Dari B, a chance meeting at the top of Copper Mountain, and random garage sales. It was always a pleasant surprise to see and visit with Frank and Jackie.
Brett & Melissa Jones
We’re so sorry for your loss.
Our prayers are with the family.
Bob and Ella Phillips
I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Data Musil (Berning)
I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ve known Franklin nearly my entire life and have many fond memories. He had such a great smile and was a wonderful man. Keeping his family in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda
My heart is broken for you guys I saw you not too long ago and I couldn’t even hug you you.. you and your wife mean so much to me you’ll never know I enjoy taking care of you several times when you were at excelsior hospital.. until we see each other again. Xoxo
Nicole Shields
So sorry for your loss, praying for family, always enjoyed seeing him, and talking to him. RIP Frank.
David & Marie Simmons
I am very sorry Susan, but rejoice in his fine and long life. He was a first-class gentleman and a fine father. God bless you all.
Kelley
Jackie and family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Franklin’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!! Jackie and Kids, If I can do anything, please, let me know. I would love to hug each one of you, but know that probably can’t happen. If there is a chance that it can happen, let me know, please!! Love you all!!
Dick and Sharon (Corky) Craven
So sorry to hear of your loss
Frank was a great man, always with a smile on his face and always looking on the sunny side no matter the situation, along with his words of wisdom!
He will be greatly missed
Thinking of you all with Deepest Sympathy
Sandy Teegarden
What a tremendous loss for the Bollinger family and our community. Our hearts and prayers go out to you. Anytime we saw Franklin we were greeted with a big and genuine smile and a warm conversation. He will be greatly missed by everyone.
Steve and Jana Schwarz
My condolences in the passing of Frank. I often recall stopping at the Dari-B and chatting with Frank and seeing him at the various school events while I was in school. Frank will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
David Snider
To Mary Parker and the family – on behalf of the FPAC HRD Team, we send our sincere condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Melissa Drummond
I’m so very sorry to hear of Franklins passing. He was such a kind man! Prayers for all of the family.
Brenda B Shelton
Mary and Family.
I’m so very, very sorry for the loss of your Father. It’s never easy to give up a loved one, but it’s harder around holiday time.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. May your Faith get you through the tough days ahead. If I can do anything for you, please let me know. Sending lots of hugs and prayers.
Sheri Nible
Very sorry about your loss of Frank. He was a standup guy. A friend to everyone. Our family sends much love and prayers to all of you.
Ken and Marcha Tietjen
He was an amazing man who had such an amazing life full of great achievements. My love goes out to the entire Bollinger family during this time of great loss.
Steve Helt
From the Commander of the American Legion Post 236, condolences to the family, he will be missed. He loved coming down to the post and we loved having him there.
Chris Stull
From all of us at the Excelsior Springs American Legion we extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Frank. He was always there to help with the flags and even when he could no longer help it was always a joy to see him come and join us for breakfast. He will be greatly missed by the American Legion Family.
Bless your family,
Richard Thogerson
Sorry to hear of your loss. He was such a personable, kind, interesting friend. We extend our sympathy to the whole family. We met you all about 46 yrs. ago! Loved to hear his stories … and such a wonderful family. May God grant you the peace only He can give through these difficult times.
Connie Gibson
Franklin was a friend to many. He always spoke to you when he saw you. Franklin and Jackie raised five wonderful children. Many of us have enjoyed the Dari B; our thanks to Franklin for starting it. Much love and prayers to all of his family.
Julea J Wormsley
We have so many memories of happy times with Franklin. He will not be forgotten. He leaves a wonderful family and our hearts go out to Jackie, children and grandchildren.
Kat & Eric Brintzinghoffer
Jackie, so sorry for your loss. I will truly miss the man that was born in my house in Mosby.
Ed and Delores Bush and family
Franklin will be missed by many. I always enjoyed talking with him both at the Dairy-B and at church. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
Barb Buehrer
We are so sorry to hear of Frank’s death. He was an amazing person, and so much fun to ski with through the years with our ski club! He always had great stories to tell, and had a happy, wonderful spirit with a gleam in his eye! Our deepest condolences to Jackie and all the family.
Roger and Leslie Williams
So sorry for Frank’s passing. What a great man was he. Remember my High School days and after stopping by Dairy B for a Pineapple Malt. Frank always remembered what I wanted without asking. To your lovely wife Jackie and entire family, may God continue to bless you all. We send our prayers.
Donald E Campbell
Franklin was a gem! Was honored to work with him when he was on the Good Samaritan Board and just enjoyed seeing him around town. Always had a big grin and warmth in his words! Our prayers and love for the Bollinger Family. Eternal rest grant unto him… let perpetual light shine upon him.
Bill and Mary Lou Greim
I adore the Bollinger clan, and that has always included Franklin. He was always welcoming, friendly, upbeat, happy, just a delight to be around. What a special man!! I will miss him, and I know the loss of one so special will run deep. My sincere sympathy to you all.
Much love from Bob/Camille/Robin.
I met Frank when I worked as a feature writer for the Excelsior Springs newspaper. He was so good to me. One day he called me and offered to drive me around and show me where the Indians used to be, showed me his artifacts and took me to Murrell Thomas’ property (and home) so I could see where Bloody Bill Anderson had been killed. Then we went up and met with Murrell and chatted with him for quite awhile. Another time Frank talked about founding Dari-B and even drove me around his property – the former site of the Elms “farm,” among other discussions. He was gracious and so much fun. Yes, he said he played golf with Robert James at the James farm. Amazing man. So glad I got to spend time with him and so sorry for his loss – but I believe he did manage to live life to its fullest!
Liz Johnson
