Franklin Plato Lindner

Franklin Plato Lindner, 85, of Lake Geneva, died on Friday, Sept 11, at Lakeland Health Care Center after having suffered a stroke on August 12.

Frank was born on June 15, 1930 in Elkhorn, WI, the only child of Dr. and Mrs. Frank P. Lindner.  He grew up in Chicago, where his father owned a dental practice and was an Associate Professor of the Loyola University School of Dentistry. Frank attended The Chicago Latin School as a child, but he and his parents summered each year in Lake Geneva where his mother, Olga, was born and raised and where he had a large extended family and many childhood friends.

He was also very close to his father’s family and enjoyed visiting them in many areas of the country, but it was Lake Geneva that he began to think of as home. When he reached his high school years, he chose to finish high school at Lake Geneva High School. Frank attended UW-Madison, but transferred to and graduated from Lewis College of Science and Technology in Lockport, IL where he studied aviation mechanics.

He loved aviation and after enlisting in the US Army, he volunteered for service in the Korean War where he was assigned to the 47th TAAM Co. (Transportation Army Aircraft Maintenance) where he repaired Bell helicopters as well as light, fixed-wing aircraft.  Upon returning from Korea, he received an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sargeant (SSG).

A licensed private pilot since age 18, he spent many years in business for himself as a flight instructor, aircraft mechanic, and FAA inspector.  His children fondly recall their  “I get to go to work with daddy” days when they got a special day to hang out at the airport with him.

Frank later worked for and retired from Walworth County where he worked in the Maintenance Department for the County Complex on Hwy NN.   He continued to be a licensed pilot, aircraft mechanic, and FAA inspector throughout that time.

Frank also enjoyed hunting and sailing. He was a member of the Frank Kresen American Legion Post 24 of Lake Geneva and a past member of the EAA.

For 54 wonderful years he was married to, and raised 5 children together with, Judith Ellen until her death in August 2014.   He is survived by those 5 children, Marian Lindner of Lake Geneva, Susan (the late Kenny) Pedersen of Lake Geneva, Frank (Joanne) Lindner of Fontana, David (Marsha) Lindner of Guyton, GA and Thomas Lindner of South Portland, Maine; nine wonderful grandchildren; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lois and Dick Yelnick of Homer Glen, IL; also very special to him are Dave and Karyn Spence and their children.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Olga (Pearson) Lindner.

Frank’s gentle spirit, friendship, and devotion to his family will be forever missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 18 from 5 to 8pm at Derrick Funeral Home in Lake Geneva.  Funeral services will be held Saturday September 19 at 10:30am at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Delavan.  The family will also receive visitors from 9:30am until the time of funeral service at Church  To sign the on-line guest registry, click view/sign condolence book at the bottom of this page.