AUBURN — Frank L. Nelke, 74, of Jay, passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 21, at Hospice House of Androscoggin in Auburn.

He was born September 13, 1942 in Livermore, the son of Neil Nelke and Margaret “Peggy” (Pomerleau) Nelke. He was a 1960 graduate of Livermore Falls High School and graduated from Auburn School of Commerce in 1962. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1969. On July 10, 1993 in Jay, he married Celina Rowe.

Frank worked for International Paper Company for 17 years and later drove truck for 30 years, for the past 15 at White Rock Distillery. He had driven 1,000,000 accident free miles for the company. He enjoyed bowling, and driving his antique Volkswagen Beetle.

He is survived by his wife, Celina Nelke of Jay, his daughter, Julie Delano and her husband, Craig, of Frankfort, Maine; his son, Jeff Crosson of Augusta; sisters, Neila Nelke of Lewiston, Brenda Yeaton and her husband, Jack, of Bloomfield Heights, MI, and Darrah Osgood and her husband, Kim, of Clifton Heights, NY; 5 grandchildren, Derrick and Amanda Piper, Kirsten, Gabrielle and Nicholas Crosson; and great-grandson, Jayden Mitton.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Starr Nelke.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.