Francis "Frank" John Layher

Francis J. Layher, the youngest of Napoleon's five Layher brothers, died April 5, 2024, at Henry Ford Health Hospice House. He was 91 years old. Mr. Layher and his wife, AvaNelle, were real estate brokers in the Jackson area for many years. She died in 2013. Frank was one of seven children born to Clifford and Loretto (Heeney) Layher. His father was a weighmaster for the Michigan highway department and the family also farmed an orchard on M-50 east of Jackson.

Surviving Frank is daughter Linda Gordon of Jenks, Okla., grandchildren George “Taylor” Perrett Jr. and Morgan (Perrett) Newlun, Trevor McCann and Austin (Monica) McCann, and two great-grandchildren, Declan and Callan McCann. Also surviving are two sisters, RoseMary Mack and JoAnn (Glenn) Atkin, and a sister-in-law, Bernadine Layher. Frank's daughter Kathy Ann (Perrett) Cook died June 13, 2022. Kathy's first husband, George “Todd” Perrett, also survives. Also preceding Frank in death were sons-in-law Gregory McCann and Michael Gordon and brothers James, Arthur, Vincent and Harry.

Frank graduated from St. Mary High School in 1951. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953 and served for 11 months as a supply clerk with the 6th Armored Cavalry in West Germany. Discharged in 1955, he worked as a postman and at Walker Michigan and attended Jackson Junior College and the University of Detroit, graduating with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Frank and Nellie purchased the Doty Agency as a foundation for their lengthy ownership of the Layher Real Estate Agency. They were members of the Jackson Area Board of Realtors. Frank was a golfer and loved to play cards, especially poker and euchre. He was an usher at Queen of the Miraculous Medal church and attended Mass nearly daily at Queens or St. Mary church.

Funeral services for Frank will be Friday, May 3, at Queens Church with the Rev. Fr. Tim MacDonald officiating. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. preceding the funeral at 10:30 a.m.  Private burial will be at St. John Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers to honor Frank, the family would welcome donations to St. Luke's Clinic, P.O. Box 4123, Jackson, MI 49204, or to Queens Church.

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