Franklin Schlatter

A funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday, April 4, 2011, at La Grone Funeral Chapel for Franklin D. Schlatter, 77, who passed away Friday, April 1, 2011, at Roswell Regional Hospital. Family will greet friends at LaGrone Funeral Chapel, today, Sunday, April 3, 2011, from 3 PM to 5 PM. .

Frank was born in Peoria, Illinois on July 22, 1933, to Bernard and Lucille, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his son, Richard Allen Schlatter, and son Davids wife, Christine Schlatter.

Frank married Carole Rhodes on August 16, 1959, in Peoria. She survives him at the family home. He is also survived by his first son, David of Aurora, Colorado and his siblings Robert B. Benny, Vera Tyler, Ed and his wife Pat, and Roger as well as his brotherinlaw, Steve Rhodes and wife Terry, sisterinlaw Beth Rhodes, nieces Summer Rhodes Ferreira and husband Kurt, Evelyn Schlatter, Jennifer Schlatter, Annette Tyler, Jeaninne Tyler, and nephews Sky Rhodes and wife Megan, Jimmy Schlatter, John Schlatter and Jeffery Schlatter and wife Donna. He is also survived by grandchildren Lindsay Pechar and Tailor Sterner, and two greatgrandchildren.

Frank and Carole moved to Roswell where Frank began a thirtyfour year teaching career, twentyfive of those at Roswell High School, retiring in 1993. He was known as an innovative and dedicated teacher of English for 34 years and is remembered and loved by numerous students, many of whom still live in Roswell.

His service to the field of English included serving as a founding member of the New Mexico Council of Teachers of English, he was elected board member of the National Council of Teachers of English and editor of their newsletter. He was also a charter member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards from 19811992. At the time of his death he held the position of president of the Retired Teachers of Roswell.

Frank has also been a longtime supporter of the Roswell Community Little Theatre having served as board president for at least six terms. He directed many plays, and acted in, wrote and produced others, often joined by his wife and sons through the years and was scheduled to direct the upcoming play, Leading Ladies. He served as Historian keeping the history and all of the scrapbooks of the organization.

After high school Frank joined the Army and served in Heidelberg, Germany in the 33rd Army Band. He was instrumental in maintaining longterm friendships where biannual reunions were held since 1997. One of his closest Band member friends was Dr. Roger Dickerson, and the two of them started the Pecos Valley Jazz Arts Festival which continues as the Roswell Jazz Festival. Roger, who lives in New Orleans, came to Roswell at the invitation of Frank and Carole during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

It was during Franks Army service that he was introduced to the Bahai Faith in 1957. Upon returning to Peoria, he met and married his wife Carole, a Bahai. Franks loyalty and service to the Faith is legendary. He was named the first HandoftheCause and Secretary General by the Third Guardian Joel B. Marangella, whose most recent tribute follows:

And dear Frank, as one who so faithfully, untiringly and magnificently labored for half a century in steadfast support of and fidelity to the Covenant of Bahaullah and in his untiring defense of the sacred, and immutable provisions of the divinely conceived Will and Testament penned by the Center of that Covenant, he has moreover most certainly been lovingly welcomed and warmly embraced by both Bahaullah and Abdul Baha.
Friends and family may give their condolences on line at:
www.lagronefuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Sunday, April 3, 2011
3 PM 5 PM

Service

Funeral

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 S Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, April 4, 2011
2:00 P. M.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203