Frank Joseph Schreit, Jr.

Frank Joseph Schreit, Jr, 87, of Paragould, passed away Monday, October 24, 2011 at his home. He was born October 18, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of the late Frank Joseph, Sr. and Anna Haba Schreit. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Tannehill. In June of 1927, his family moved to Paragould where his father opened and operated Ely & Walker Shirt Factory. He graduated from Paragould High School, September of 1942, second in his class. That fall, he went to the University of Arkansas and majored in Engineering. January of 1943, Mr. Schreit enlisted in the United States Army Air Force as a Private. He was sent to Meteorology School at University of California and then transferred to Communication at Yale University. He was sent overseas as a 2nd LT. in the spring of 1945 on an unescorted troop ship with 5000 troops and served at Chabua, Kermatola, in the Assam Valley of India and Chittagong, Burma, attempting to rebuild Burma Road to China, flying ammo and supplies over the “Hump” (Himalaya Mountains) to China, monitoring OSS and Japanese troops. He also assisted in closing USArmy Air fields in New Delhi, India, Cairo, Egypt, Casablanca, North Africa and returned to US in May of 1946. He was discharged as a 1st Lt. Mr. Schreit went back the the University of Arkansas and changed his major to accounting, where he graduated in 1948, cum laude. He took a job with Arthur Andersen working in their Chicago and St. Louis offices. In 1950 he returned to Paragould and opened his own CPA office in December, being the first and only CPA at that time in Paragould. He worked with Andy (R.L) Anderson, Dale Coy, Rex Bouldin and Gary Rogers over the years. He married the love of his life, Mary Ann Atkins, in July 29, 1951. He said this was the “best move I ever made (she was, is beautiful, intelligent, vivacious and loving.” In April of 1964, he purchased White Printing Company along with John McKenzie and Charles Northern. Mr. Schreit was a board member of First National Bank, Paragould Chamber of Commerce, President in 1957, Paragould School Board, First United Methodist Church, Greene County Industrial Development Committee (helped locate Emerson Electric Mfg.), and charter member of Paragould Country Club. He has been a member of Ducks Unlimited for many years and always purchased the first ticket for the DU Sponsor Banquet. His interests for many years have included duck hunting at Black River/Brookings and playing endless golf at Paragould Country Club. Mr. Schreit is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary Ann Schreit of the home; son, Frank Joseph “Joe” Schreit, III and wife Jennifer of Paragould; daughters : Eva Myrick Blackshear and husband Bob of Springfield, Missouri, Sara Grey Morgan and husband Will of Conway, Anna Province Smith and husband Skipper of Jonesboro; grandchildren: Ross Blackshear, Ted Blackshear, Steven Blackshear, Christal Cicero, Joseph Morgan, Kate Morgan, Rebecca Morgan, Joanna Schreit, Margaret (Maggie) Schreit, Lena Caroline Schreit, Eli Frank Schreit, Kathryn Smith, Sarah Smith and Mary Elizabeth Smith; great grandchildren: Silas Cicero and Dylan Cicero; sisters and brothers-in-law: Jane and John McKenzie of Paragould; Joe K. and Ann Tannehill of Panama City, Florida and several nieces and nephews. A special thanks to caregivers and friends, Gracie Lawrence, Elizabeth Edwards, Mary Butler and Doug Butler. The family will receive friends Wednesday, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Heath Funeral Home. His life will be celebrated at 12:00PM Thursday at First United Methodist Church. The family will have a private burial. Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 404 W. Main, Paragould, AR 72450 or Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Foundation, PO Box 339, Paragould, AR 72451. Sign online guestbook at www.heathfuneralhome.com.