Frank Louis Lanuti

Dr. Frank Louis Lanuti, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away March 26, 2021, surrounded by family. He had recently celebrated his 100th birthday and was a very proud WWII veteran. Heaven has called another of the Greatest Generation home. Frank was born January 23, 1921 in Ladd, IL to Armando and Maria Lanuti. He married his beloved wife, Dr. Marjorie (Hickman) Lanuti in 1958 and they were happily married for 55 years. They moved to Battle Creek in 1965 where they raised their four children and practiced medicine together. Marjorie passed away in April of 2013.

After graduating from Hall High School in Spring Valley, IL, he went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University. He was an ROTC cadet and reported to the Army to attend Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, OK, graduating in April, 1943 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He went on to Army Ranger training in Florida. From there he volunteered to learn to fly and became a pilot. Frank was commissioned to 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps Field Artillery and was stationed in Italy where he served the duration of WWII.

Frank was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross; he was honored with the prestigious award The Order of The Crown of Italy – Degree of Cavaliere (making him a Knight). He received several other medals including an Oak Leaf Cluster, a high honor for pilots.

After the War, he graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Illinois. He completed his internship at Indianapolis General Hospital and residency in general surgery at both University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin. Frank joined Leila Post Montgomery Hospital in Battle Creek in 1964 where he remained active until his retirement. He received multiple awards and honors during his years of practice.

Frank was an active member in two churches in Battle Creek: The First United Methodist Church with his wife, and St. Philip Roman Catholic Church. He loved all types of sporting events and attended Michigan State University and University of Michigan football games with his family. He had a personal hobby with his wife of bird watching and all things nature.

Frank Lanuti is survived by his sons: Dr. Stephen (Laura) Lanuti of Laurinburg, NC and David Lanuti of Chicago, IL, and his daughters: Cynthia (Pete) Miceli of Barrington, IL and Deborah Lanuti of Apex, NC. He has five grandchildren: Steven, Sarah, Joseph, Nathan and Isabelle. He also has one sister, Dena (Lanuti) Bussa of Janesville, WI, extended family Juliet Mullenmeister of Bloomfield Township, MI and Joanne (Kaiser) Hickman of Germantown, MD. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Nerina, Gildo, Emma, Gino, Hugo, and Joseph.

The family will receive friends 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, April 4, 2021 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Battle Creek. Mass will be celebrated at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, Battle Creek at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 5, 2021. A private interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. The service was recorded and may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GWOjJ0hCc4. Military honors may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/533253965. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, or the First United Methodist Church, both in Battle Creek, MI would be appreciated. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Frank may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.