BATON ROUGE — A mass for Frank Joseph Petkovsek, 88, who died peacefully at his residence surrounded by loving family, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Baton Rouge.

Visitation will be from noon until service time Saturday at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Greenoak Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Baton Rouge.

Mr. Petkovsek lovable disposition and noble character endeared him to a great many people across multiple generations. Always focused on the positives, Frank’s life was guided by a compassionate and caring attitude that persevered relentlessly through even the darkest of hours, raising the spirits of those closet to him and illuminating the path towards a brighter future.

His sincere resolve towards helping others realize that future was perhaps impossible to describe with words, but somehow easily understood by the heart.

Frank was a graduate of Loyola University, a U.S. Army veteran and a retiree of DuPont. He was a faithful servant of God, devoted and loving husband of 50 years, caring father of three, amazing grandfather of seven, proud great-grandfather of six and loyal friend to countless others.

Frank, or “Babaw” as he was called by his grandchildren and a number of others, never met a stranger he didn’t like and always greeted everyone with grace and a smile. He truly had the kindest soul of any man walking this earth. He was simply the best. By the grace of God, he has been reunited in heaven with the love of his life, Jackie, and his oldest daughter, Gail. Although he will forever be missed by those he leaves behind, his influence on their hearts and minds will never be diminished.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Marie Petkovsek of Natchez; his wife, Jacqueline (Jackie) Marie McKaskle Petkovsek; and one daughter, Gail Marie Petkovsek Mosby.

Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Susan Petkovsek Sharp and husband, Wyatt, and Jacqueline (Jackie) Anne Petkovsek Gallmann and husband, James (Jimmy); seven grandchildren, Katherine Sharp Hughes and husband, Jason, William (Bill) Mosby and wife, Maggie, Lindsay Sharp Morgan and husband, Clay, Joseph Mosby, Lucas Gallmann, Kyle Gallmann and Andrew Gallmann; six great-grandchildren, Peyton Hughes, Emma Hughes, Sydney Hughes, Dexter Morgan, Alex Mosby and Brielle Morgan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The family extends their deep appreciation for the support given by Dr. Miletello and his wonderful staff who held their hand every step of the way over the past two years.