- Date Of Birth: August 23, 1925
- Date Of Death: November 27, 2010
- State: Indiana
Joseph (Frank) Noffsinger, 85, of Elkhart passed away on Saturday, November 27, 2010, at Elkhart General Hospital.
Mr. Noffsinger is survived by his son, Joseph Paul Noffsinger of Houston, TX, Step-daughter, Jannell Yrineo Aurora, CO., six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren survive as well. Also, surviving are his brothers, Richard E., James W. (Carmeline), and John E. Noffsinger all of Elkhart, and his sisters Josephine F. Jones of Novato, CA, and Delores J. Freeby of Rocklin, CA. One sister, Jeannine Cullen preceded him in death.
Frank was born and raised in Elkhart and attended Elkhart High School, class of ’44. He started working at an early age, employed by a local bakery, then at Borneman & Son’s Hardware. Early in his career developed a deep appreciation of honesty, trade, and the experience needed to later start his own business. Frank joined the Seabees in October 1943, serving at Pearl Harbor in the Naval Advanced Base Construction Battalion, and later in Washington D.C. After being honorably discharged in May 1946 he returned to Elkhart and to Borneman Hardware. He assisted at the beginning of several upstart businesses that would help define Elkhart’s identity, including Coachman and Skyline Industries. In 1953, Frank started Elkhart Camera Center after seeing the need for a progressive and full-service supplier of photography in the Elkhart area. Elkhart Camera Center would prosper and become the largest retailer for 100 miles until his retirement 47 years later in the year 2000. At that time he was a pioneer, and innovator, and was named Photo Retailer of the Year by Eastman Kodak Co.
In May of 1960, he married Esther Pauline Decker and was always in love with the woman who would share the entire day with him, working at his side in the camera business. In 1962 his son Joseph was born and shortly after his the first of 5 grandchildren to his stepdaughter Jannell.
Frank’s passion was business and his character was to be fair and generous with everyone he encountered. He was a faithful son to his mother and generous and loving to his wife and family. He was filled with humor and a “Can Do” attitude. Frank embraced technology long after retirement and was outgoing in attitude and always sharp-minded. His favorite hobbies were the study of Thomas Jefferson, a member of the Nappanee Stamp Club, Elkhart Coin Club, Junto Club, Horseradish Club, and was a donor to Ronald Reagan and George W Bush Libraries. He gave lectures on Thomas Jefferson, silver, Ronald Reagan, and a local celebrity, Lt. Wade who was a member of the expedition to first fly around the world. Frank was the Founder of the Esther P. Noffsinger Scholarship Endowment at Indiana University, Elkhart Branch. For pleasure and business, Frank traveled from Japan to Greece, and took college courses after his retirement and enjoyed baseball, softball, and golf throughout his life.
Frank believed in the basic honesty and goodness of people, and embraced conservative government & taxes but was strongly progressive on affirmative action, taking it as a matter of fact to treat people based on their character, not their color. His character, generosity, and principles have a powerful effect across generations and have had a profound influence on his grandson Nikolas Noffsinger and granddaughter Alexa Yrineo who are among the many who will profoundly miss him.
