Frank Anthony Szczepek, age 85, of Solvang, California, died on February 19, 2007, in Santa Maria, California, of natural causes.
Frank was born on May 15, 1921, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to the late Walter and Anna Rachwal Szczepek. Frank served in the Army and participated in the Rhineland Campaign where he was awarded the Purple Heart Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Good Conduct Ribbon, and the American Theater Ribbon Victory Medal. He attained the rank of sergeant.
On July 2, 1945, he married Minga Lee Escovedo in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Frank moved to Solvang, California, after his marriage where he worked as a laborer until his retirement in 1976. He was a member of the Laborers' International Union of North America.
During his retirement, Frank enjoyed jewelry making and baseball.

Frank is survived by his wife, Minga, his two daughters, Crystal Bertheau and Terry McCoy, two sons-in-law, David Bertheau and Rafael Guillen, two grandchildren, Mark Davis of Tiburon, California, and Gina Johns of Mission Viejo, California, and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

A visitation will be held from 2 PM to 7 PM with rosary services held in the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary at 5 PM on Thursday, February 22, 2007. A funeral mass will be celebrated by Monsignor John Fitzgerald at 10 AM on Friday, February 23, 2007, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 3495 Rucker Road, Lompoc, California. Burial will be at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery following the funeral mass.

Relatives and friends are welcome to a reception at the home of Frank Aguilar, Frank's godson, after the cemetery services.

The family of Frank Szczepek would like to thank all of the staff of the Silver Hills Residential Care Facility and Marian Hospice for their help and suppo