Francis Anthony Soditus

Frank was born August 6, 1936, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, to Frank and Veronica nee Golumbeski Soditus. After graduating from Minersville High School in 1954, he enlisted in the US Air Force. He was sent to Formosa immediately after boot camp, near the end of the Korean War. He then enrolled at Williamsport Technical Institute, completing certification as a heavy construction equipment operator and serviceman.

Frank married Constance Ann Miles of Minersville, Pennsylvania, on June 6, 1964, at St. Francis Church. They moved to Sacramento, California, and he started working at a sawmill, then became the business agent for Local 3170 of Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union. Most of his career he worked in the heavy machinery industry. He worked at John Deere Company in Woodland, California, for 10 years. He was also an engineer and mechanic on commercial fishing vessels from Southern California to Alaska for three years. He retired in 1998 from his own business, ON-Site Recycling; his company recycled antifreeze.

Frank had many hobbies, including building and flying model airplanes and fly tying for the "smaller" fish. He enjoyed going to car races with the family and worked in the pit crew for the Pacific Coast Sedan Champion. His love of the outdoors took the family and their dogs camping, RV-ing, exploring with the Jeep, fishing, boating, and water-skiing. His favorite sport was hunting, and it led him to many exciting trips. He loved to hunt and enjoyed passing his knowledge and skills on to his son, Dale. He fondly reminisced of a special hunting trip with his son and his son-in-law in Wyoming.

Frank and Connie enjoyed traveling, especially a trip to Lithuania in 2008. At home, Frank was a past member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Ilwaco, Washington. He was a member of Eagles Aerie 3602 and an active member and past adjutant of American Legion Post 48 in Ilwaco, Washington. He was a member of St. Mary Church in Seaview, Washington.

He is survived by his wife, Connie of Ocean Park, Washington; son, Dale Soditus (wife Katherine) of Gold Hill, Oregon; daughter Erika Clawson (husband Randall) of Nevada City, California; grandchildren Steven Skaggs of Rocklin, California, and Jacy Clawson of Nevada City, California; sister Bernice Pierlioni of Minersville, Pennsylvania; niece Andrea Carlson (husband Dave) of Napa, California; sister-in-laws Kathy Horoschak (husband Russ) of Minersville, Pennsylvania, and Arlene Emry of Virginia Beach, Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Veronica nee Golumbeski Soditus, and his sisters Geraldine Byrnes and Dorothy Nadock.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on June 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 1700 Pacific Way, Seaview, Washington 98644. Interment will be at St. Francis Cemetery in Minersville, Pennsylvania on July 8, 2023.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Mary Church in Seaview, Washington, or to the Humane Society of the United States, NW Ste 450, Washington DC 20037.