Winsome Witness 3. Celebrating the Life of Dwayne Frank

I feel like I’m on the front porch of heaven.
I feel that way today.  – Rev. David Graham

Yesterday, I worshiped at Grace Baptist Church, Cedarville, Ohio, our home church for 33 years, until we moved to Wooster, OH, in 2012.  The occasion was the celebration of the life of Dwayne Frank, a dear brother in Christ, and former colleague at Cedarville University.  Dwayne entered heaven and into the embrace of his Savior on September 7, 2025.  As we honored Dwayne’s life so dedicated to His Lord Jesus; indeed, it seemed we were sitting “on the front porch of heaven.”

I first met Dwayne Frank in 1979 when I joined the faculty of (then) Cedarville College.  Dwayne had arrived in Cedarville nearly 20 years earlier, having come as a student in 1956 and then as faculty member in our Education Department, in 1968.  I was privileged at first to work with Dwayne while I taught our science-math education methods course.  My students learned principles of classroom and laboratory teaching through me (I hoped); and then, Dwayne and colleagues guided them in their classroom student teaching experience.

One of Dwayne’s education students, John Hart, named “gentleness” as a fruit of the Spirit that best described his mentor.  John said yesterday, “I caught more than I was taught.”  During his times in Dwayne’s classroom, or traveling with Dwayne on mission in China, or during many times in Dwayne and wife JoAnne’s home, John said by observing Dwayne’s life, he caught how it looks to be a loving husband, father, and servant of others outside his home. 

As a college professor, Dwayne was a gentle servant to his colleagues.  I was privileged to serve on academic committees with Dwayne, and I learned from his wise and soft-spoken service.  Dwayne also loved our local church, and we were blessed by his Spirit-filled leadership of singing in our worship services.  He was a godly example to me and other deacons as a man who loved every opportunity to serve our pastoral staff and our members as a caring deacon.

My friend Dwayne, was a winsome witness through his gentle service in his home, his church, and on campus because he respected and feared his God.  Dwayne’s “fear of God” was a fear of  grieving others by his behavior, and ultimately, grieve the Holy Spirit of God.   His life showed us the meaning of Psalm 128: 1-4:

How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
            Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
            You will be happy and it will be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
            Within your house,
            Your children like olive plants
            Around your table.
Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
            Who fears the LORD. 

Our LORD has honored Dwayne’s longtime reverent obedience to Him by blessing his and JoAnn’s parenting of their three daughters, Stephanie, Sandra, and Shelly, and making their home a godly haven to all who visited.  During years past and in recent years, Abby and I have enjoyed several refreshing times of fellowship and prayer in Dwayne and JoAnn’s home in Lakeland, FL.  I will never forget the many phone conversations between Dwayne and I which always left me encouraged in my spirit—indeed, as if we had been conversing “on the front porch of Heaven.”  Dwayne had trusted Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and His resurrection victory over sin and death, and he was long-ready to meet His Savior.

Yesterday, we heard from multiple generations of Dwayne and JoAnn’s family representing six grandchildren and ten grandchildren.  Representatives of each generation shared how Dwayne and JoAnn had shown the aroma of Christ through selfless love for them; and it has been their desire to have godly homes for their families.  Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.

Although we have tried, it is impossible for us to give a deserving tribute to my friend Dwayne.  So, I include a few links for those who wish to hear the Celebration of the Life of Dwayne Frank.
We will close with the promise of our prayers for JoAnn and family, and a prayerful psalm that we hope will be a fitting comfort to each of them:

O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,
            That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us,
            And the years we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants
            And Your majesty to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
            And confirm for us the work of our hands;
            Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

Links to the Celebration of Dwayne Frank’s Life:

Full Service Online:  Click HERE.
David Carr, son-in-law:  Click HERE.
Greg Frank, nephew:   Click HERE.
Stephanie, daughter:  Click HERE.
John Hart, former student:  Click HERE.
Melvin Frank, brother:  Click HERE.
Paul Jackson, Dwayne’s pastor (1975-1992): Click HERE.
Granddaughters, Jenn & Jessie:  Click HERE.
Dave Carr, representing sons-in-law:  Click HERE.
Bob Beikert & Jeff Beste, leading in worship:   Click HERE.
David Graham, Dwayne’s pastor (1992-2004): Click HERE.

Obituary:  Click HERE.

Dedication:
This blog is dedicated to all its readers who have been reminded of the sting of their own loss, perhaps of a dear husband, wife, child, or a beloved friend.  We hope you have found comfort in the words and songs in honor of Dwayne and for the comfort of his family.  We welcome you to use "Comment" link below for any words of comfort or questions you might have as to how it is that a memorial service can be a "celebration of life" for those who know Christ who takes the sting out of death and the grave (1 Corinthians 15: 55-58).