Frank Palermo, 95, Kansas City, MO, passed away Friday, December 23, 2011. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 7207 NW Hwy 9, Kansas City, MO 64152. Entombment will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday at St. Therese Church, where the Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Sister Servants of Mary, 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS 66102. Online condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.

Frank was born August 9, 1916 in Kansas City, MO to Calogero and Margareta (DiPrima) Palermo. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII serving in the South Pacific, and was awarded two Bronze Stars for participating in five beachhead landings. Frank was self-employed in the heating and cooling industry, and was developer of several area nursing homes including New Mark Care Center. He was a 32nd Degree Shriner. Frank took great pride in making Italian sausage for his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Sam, Jasper, Joe, Lawrence "Babe", Tony, and John Palermo; and his sister, Pauline Gimmarro.

Frank is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Rose (Mannino) Palermo; his children and their spouses, Carl and Alice Palermo, Margarita and Robert Tinder, Patty and John Sole, Donna Roesle; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Vita and Albert Hylton; and many nieces and nephews.

His nephew said it best: "Frank was the husband, father and grandfather that everyone wished they had, and was the friend that everyone wanted."