Frank Alexander Sawyer of Oak Park, Illinois (formerly of Urbana, Illinois) died on Sept. 23, 2012 at his home. Frank was born May 29, 1950 to Alex and Janet Sawyer in Champaign, Illinois. As a youth, Frank was a member of Boy Scout Troop 1, sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Champaign. Frank graduated from Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, in 1972, with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. He moved to Chicago in 1973; his first job in Chicago was as a Burns security guard. Frank worked for the Social Security Administration in Chicago from 1974 until his death.

Frank was a loyal member of his family, helping take care of his parents in their later years. Despite challenges with stuttering, he was willing to step outside his comfort zone to participate fully in his family's life, including holiday celebrations, weddings, funerals, and caring for elderly relatives. Frank was an avid reader, including political news, science fiction, and the Rolling Stone Magazine. He had a dry wit and a keen sense of irony. Frank was a generous brother and uncle. He was a wonderful gift-giver and was ready to support charitable organizations.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Janet Sawyer, his brother-in-law Richard Green, and his nephew, John Matthew Sederholm. He is survived by his sister Kathryn (Alan) Garrison, Mackinaw; sister Margaret (Greg) Stanton, Urbana; sister Charlotte Green, Champaign; sister Ellen (Steve) Cantrell, Edelstein; and brother Ralph (Becky Rhodes) Sawyer, Metamora. He was also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, including Anita (Tim) Sorrells and children Robert, Zech, Joshua, and Allyssa; Katie (David) Schlappi and son Cole; Chris (Patti Calvo) Stanton; Gabe Stanton; Jordan (Cheryl) Green; Alice (Rob) Callahan and daughter Charlotte; Joe (Stacey) Cantrell; Ben Cantrell; Patrick Cantrell; and Adam Sawyer.

Visitation and memorial services will be held Monday, Oct. 15th at the Quaker Meeting House, 1904 E. Main St., Urbana (1:00 p.m. visitation; 2:00 memorial service followed by reception.) Burial at Clements Cemetery northeast of Urbana will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Neurofibromatosis Midwest http://www.nfmidwest.org/donate/ Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com