It was a fitting sendoff for Schuylkill County Commissioner Frank Staudenmeier, a “friendly, gentle, kindhearted man, with a deep love for family, friends and community,” as eulogized by his brother, John.

Staudenmeier, who served as commissioner since 2002, passed away Feb. 29. A funeral Mass service was held Saturday from his home church, St. Charles Borromeo in Ashland, just a few blocks from where he was raised.

Collages of family photographs stood on easels at the rear of the church, and a large photograph of Staudenmeier was displayed in the center aisle of the church, which was filled to overflowing. Schuylkill County sheriffs in dress uniforms lined the rear wall.

As the Mass took place, firefighters from every corner of the county parked their trucks along both sides of Ashland’s main street in preparation for the funeral procession. Dozens of firetrucks in a kaleidoscope of colors were parked with lights activated. Two ladder trucks – one antique – from Ashland’s Washington Fire Company were parked with ladders outstretched to form an arch over the street, so that they could display a large American flag.

John Staudenmeier said that the display of support from the county meant a lot to the family, because it showed how much Frank Staudenmeier meant to the area, which he genuinely loved.

“He was a giver, an organizer, who didn’t just sit back and watch,” John Staudenmeier said. “The tremendous outpouring is a testament to the love and friendship” he experienced living in the area.

“What you don’t know is how great a brother he was – like a big brother, he watched out for me,” he added. “He was a simple man, a happy man who didn’t need much – happy hanging out with his wife, playing cards with the guys, and telling the same jokes and stories.”

Staudenmeier was also eulogized by Bob Carl, a former Schuylkill County Commissioner and friend. Carl spoke of Staudenmeier’s many professional accomplishments, as a county leader supporting economic development, and as a family man. He called him a “man of the people.”

“He was highly regarded in working with state representatives and he loved the partnerships,” Carl said. “But Frank the family man was truly his claim to fame – no priority was more important to him.”

Carl said that Staudenmeier was a born leader, whether he was in elected office or coaching youth baseball.

“People followed him and believed in him,” Carl said. “He had a great smile and a wonderful laugh and sense of humor.”

“I never met one person who did not like him, he was a true gentleman,” he added. “He would not want us to say goodbye, he’d want us to say Auf Wiedersehen – until we meet again.”