Frank Kane

STERLING - Frank E. Kane, 92, died peacefully in his sleep early Sunday, the Lord's day, at Avonlea Cottage, where he moved in recent months for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. A farmer, developer and homebuilder, Frank was born the sixth of eight children on Sept. 14, 1922, on a farm northwest of Sterling. While serving in the Air Force during World War II, he was called home when his dad was killed in a farm accident in 1944. At the age of 22, he was charged with the responsibility of running the family farm and supporting the family. On June 14, 1947, he married a local farm girl, Ann Bartel, whom he met while she was teaching in the nearby one-room North Star School. For their 10th wedding anniversary, he built her her dream house by hand. Inspired by that success and his desire to provide quality, affordable housing in a wholesome, country environment to families needing a place to live, he built Lake View Hills subdivision and Lake Jude on the farm. Over the ensuing decades, he constructed more than 50 homes in the area. For many years, he served as Hopkins Township supervisor. And he continued to work the land until his last few years. Belief in hard work and his faith were the tenets he lived by. He served as a founding member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Mary Catholic Church, which worked to help the less forunate, and he was generous in donating his time and his money to causes near and far. Survivors include his wife Ann; two sisters Joan Golick of Sterling and Sister Rita Kane of Ossining, N.Y.; four sons Kevin (Mary Rose Strubbe) of Waukegan, James (Deborah Donovan) of Oak Park, Paul (Becky Wiley) and Jude, both of Sterling; four grandchildren, Danielle (Sean) Rios, Rachel, Joy and Charles, and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Dempster and Margaret Kane; and three brothers, Joe, John and Charles Kane. Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:30 at Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling. The funeral follows at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 600 Ave. B, Sterling, with Fr. James Keenan officiating. Burial is at Calvary Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the church hall. Memorials may be made to Self Help Enterprises, 2300 W. Le Fevre Road, Sterling.