Former Oak Creek resident Frank Yurich Jr. passed away Jan. 1, 2006, in Green Valley, Ariz. He was 76.

Frank was born in Helper, Utah, on April 30, 1929, and he was raised in Oak Creek. He graduated from Oak Creek High School. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and saw action in that theater of war. He returned to Oak Creek after his honorable discharge.

Frank met and married his wife, Nancy Waalewyn, in Chicago in 1957. The couple returned to Oak Creek, where they made their home and raised their family. Frank worked for the Pittsburgh and Midway Coal Co. at the Edna Coal Mine. He was very proud of his 30-plus year career as a coal miner. Frank and Nancy retired to Green Valley, Ariz., in 1991.

Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nancy; his parents, Frank Sr. and Rose; a younger brother, Mike; and by his daughter Stacey.

He is survived by daughters, Tammy Ours and her husband R.J. of Denver, and Sally Montgomery and her husband Jason of Aurora; three grandchildren, Jake, Audrey and Tyler. He also is survived by brothers, Steve Yurich and his wife Audrey of Bosque Farms, N.M., Peter and John Yurich of Oak Creek; and a sister, Anna of Granby.

Frank also had numerous nieces and nephews residing throughout the U.S.

A Mass of the Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Jan. 10 at St. Martin’s Roman Catholic Church in Oak Creek. Visitation and viewing will take place for one before the funeral Mass at St. Martin’s. Internment will follow at the Oak Creek Cemetery.

Contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Attn: Mary Kamau at 2255 S. Oneida St., Denver, CO 80224.