Frank Eugene Keechel

Frank Eugene Keechel, 83, long time resident of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, born on January 21, 1941, in Grovertown, Indiana, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.

Frank served 31 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired from Keesler Air Force Base as a Chief Master Sergeant in July 1990. In 1973 while stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, he was part of Operation Homecoming that transported and provided medical services to American prisoners of war held by North Vietnam. The POWs were flown from Hanoi, North Vietnam, to Clark Air Force Base before being flown home to their families in the United States. He was also an avid golfer, bowler, and loved to fish.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Keechel; mother, Bertha (Whitesell) Cimoch; sister, Alice Stiles; and sister, Emily Watts, all of Indiana.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Virgilia Keechel of the Philippines; sister, JoEllen Cimoch of Indiana; children, Rena Bryson of Indiana, Sheila Keechel of California, Buddy Keechel and daughter-in-law, Amy Keechel of Mississippi; grandchildren, Devin and Gabriel Keechel Dodson of California, Mason Sumrall, Kaspien and Osias Holly of Mississippi; and great grandson, Jenson Sumrall of Mississippi.

Graveside service will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 1:30 PM.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Frank Eugene Keechel.