Francis Emiel (“Frank,” “Frans”) De Herdt, Fruitdale, died March, 23, 2011. He was 81.

He was born Aug. 24, 1929, in Kudus, Central Java, Indonesia, to A.L.A. de Herdt and Vera van Delden. Frank grew up in Java. He married Maria Tinangon in Jakarta. They raised five children. They divorced after over 30 years together.

Frank and his young family immigrated to Bergen Op Zoom in the Netherlands in 1959 and to Indianapolis in 1961. He worked in Indonesia as a flight steward for Garuda Airlines. He retired from Eli Lilly and Company, where he worked in machine maintenance.

He enjoyed spending time with family, playing tennis, working on the acreage he loved, tending his chickens and walking through the woods daily with his dogs, Limppote and Kobie.

Frank is survived by ex-wife,Maria Tinangon (Nick Lancaster) of Reno, Nev.; and their children, Ginny De Herdt (Rick Robertson) of Fort Collins, Colo., Corina McNicholl (Marc) of Indianapolis, Dave De Herdt (Amelia Maloney) of Ashfield, Mass., Leo De Herdt of Indianapolis, and Jeff De Herdt (Jessica) of Indianapolis; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous siblings and relatives around the world; and his beloved dog, Kobie.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saurday, April 9, 2011, at Downey Avenue Christian Church, 111 S. Downey Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219. Calling will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Shirley Brothers Mortuaries and Crematories is in charge of arrangements, www.shirleybrothers.com.

Memorial donations can be made to Downey Avenue Christian Church, which served as sponsor so the family could immigrate to Indianapolis and supported the family in many ways.