Frank Orval Spaw

Frank Orval Spaw, 87, of Big Long Lake, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2026, at Sacred Heart Nursing Home, in Avilla, Indiana. Frank was born on May 31, 1939, to Ralph and Betsy (Miller) Spaw, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. On July 11, 1959, Frank married Marcia Griffin, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Frank served the United States in the Army Reserves, then went on to be a conductor for Norfolk Southern Railroad, retiring in 2001. Frank enjoyed hunting, cars, tractors, lake-life, and collecting pocket watches.

Surviving Frank are his wife, Marcia; son Chris (Joanna) Spaw, of Hamilton, Indiana; daughters Julie Colbart, of Bryan, Ohio, Linda (Richard) Mumma, of Avilla, Indiana, and Laurie (Katrina) Pierce, of North Port, Florida; brother Steve (Jeanne) Spaw, of Culver, Indiana; sister Patty (Mark) Wilkinson, of Big Long Lake, Indiana; grandchildren Jason Colbart, Nick Colbart, Stacie Mumma, Shawn Mumma, Shad Pierce, Monica Johnson, Heather Spaw, and Clayton Spaw; and numerous great and great-great- grandchildren.

Preceding Frank in death are his parents Ralph and Betsy, brother Jerry Spaw, sister Eileen Graham, and son-in-law DeWayne Colbart.

A memorial service will take place at 12:00pm, Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Harper Funeral Homes, 530 N Main Street, Avilla, Indiana.  Chaplain Ken Weaver will officiate. Visitation will take place from 11:00 to 12:00pm, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the funeral home.

A very special thank you to all of the staff at Sacred Heart Nursing Home and Parkview Hospice, from the family of Frank Spaw.

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