Obituaries

Frank Leslie Mongene Jr., age 61, of Dafter, Michigan, passed away on February 6, 2026. He was born on February 24, 1964, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Frank and Marsha (LaPonsie) Mongene.

Frank grew up in Dafter and throughout his life was known for his strong work ethic and wide range of skills. Over the years, he held many professions, including logger, snowplow driver, airport track maintenance worker, and school bus mechanic for Brimley Schools. He also worked at U.P. Tire and served as an MEA union representative for school employees. Frank owned and operated a vulcanizing and excavation business and proudly ran Mongene’s Game Bird Hunting Preserve for 23 years on a 160-acre farm in Dafter.

Frank was deeply involved in his community and affiliations. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, the Michigan Game Bird Breeders Association, the Eastern Upper Peninsula Antique Association, and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, where he served as a Crane Clan Elder. He also dedicated his time to local service as a member of the Dafter Township Board of Trustees.

An avid outdoorsman, Frank had a lifelong love for fishing and hunting deer, birds, coyotes, and even those “pesky squirrels.” He found great joy in farming, plowing the land and watching it grow. In his downtime, he enjoyed watching westerns and classic cowboy movies, the History Channel, and attending tractor pulls.

Frank will be remembered for his hard work, love of the outdoors, and deep connection to his land, community, and heritage.

Frank is survived by his wife, Florence Anderson; daughter, Meagan Mongene of Grand Rapids, MI; sons, Tony Mongene of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Steven (KC) Kuehl of Sheboygan Falls, WI, and Tyler (Diane) Kuehl of Thomaston, CT; grandchildren, Connor, Callan, Eliana, Julius, Jalen and Javion Kuehl; mother, Marsha Mongene; brother, David (Noelle) Mongene of Orion, MI; sister-in-law, Wendy (Joe) Rudolph of Mukwonago, WI; brothers-in-law, Gordon (Cindy) Anderson of Rapid River, MI, Marty Anderson of Lake Villa, IL, and Scott (Bridgette) Anderson of Rapid River, MI; his children’s mother, Nancy (Ken) Miller of Saluda, NC.

Frank is preceded in death by his father, Frank Mongene Sr.; brother-in-law, Daniel Anderson; sister-in-law, Lynda Anderson.

A celebration of life will be held in May 2026.

Frank’s final resting place will be at Kinross Lakeview Cemetery in Kinross, Michigan

Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.