Oneonta – Frank L. Bevins, Jr., 87, went to be with the Lord on December 9, 2023.  He was at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown.

He was born October 22, 1936 at A.O. Fox Hospital, Oneonta, the son of Frank L. Bevins Sr. and Alice (Bell) Bevins.

Frank graduated from Oneonta High School in 1955.

When he was 20, he played baseball for the Elmira Pioneers until he hurt his shoulder.  He then went on to play for Sidney as a relief pitcher.  Frank was a Little League coach for the VFW and Wilber Bank teams for 10 years.  He also coached for the Babe Ruth League for a time.

Frank was a welder for Linn Coach, Seward's Sand and Gravel, and York Rakes in Unadilla for 42 years, retiring at 79 due to emphysema.

He was on a bowling league, liked playing golf, and officiated swim meets.

Frank always enjoyed a good joke and found much joy in making people laugh.

He married Mary Lou Ritchko on April 11, 1998. Frank & Mary Lou were together till he went to be in God's arms.  He is also survived by children, Doreen Bird of Florida, Tammy Jo Deyo of Binghamton, and Chad Ritchko of Oneonta; grandchildren, Julia and Zack Bird, Brittany, Devin and Matthew Deyo, James, Tim, Cassandra and Victor Bevins; and many great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents and a son, Frank J. Bevins.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 23 at the Oneonta Assembly of God Church, with the Rev. John Grenier will officiate.  In honor of Frank and for his love of the Red Sox, please wear something red.

Please consider donations to the Assembly of God Church, 1667 County Road 48, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Expression of sympathy may be sent to www.lhpfuneralhome.com, the website of Oneonta's only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.