Dr. Frank E. Adrian, 68, a well-known longtime physician of Clayton, died at 4:15 a.m. Friday, May 24, 1996 in his Clayton home.

A native of Champaign County, Dr. Adrian was born Nov. 30, 1927, a son of Frank L. and Eunice M. Robinson Adrian. He married Mary Davis Jan. 19, 1980, in First Federated Church in Clayton. She survives.

Dr. Adrian began his practice in July 1959 after a search by the Clayton Lions Club. He had just completed a residency at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park after serving an internship at Illinois Central College in Chicago.

Dr. Adrian received his degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed under-graduate at Millikan University School of Medicine in Decatur.

"Dr. Adrian's hearty laughter and caring attitude reflected his love for people and his practice," said Frank Baptist of Clayton. "His calm, soothing manner and comforting smile brought hope and health to many ill and weary patients."

Dr. Adrian maintained this manner throughout his practice at the Clayton Clinic seeing thousands of patients from many communities of Adams and Brown counties until he retired in April.

"He's the last of the earlier medical breed," said the Rev. Donald Busboom of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clayton. "He just didn't refuse anybody. He got to know his patients and tried to meet more than just their physical needs - a large task considering an average week involved 80 to 100 patients."

Dr. Adrian donated countless hours of service to the school district residents by giving free physicals to Central athletes over many years. He also attended every Central home football game for years and offered to help any athlete injured during a game.

Dr. Adrian and his wife were crucial supporters of the 3-Adam-19 rural ambulance service and helped bring the service to the Camp Point - Clayton - Coatsburg district by getting the initial grant money

Hundreds of people, many with tears in their eyes, crammed into the Clayton American Legion Hall on May 5th to thank Dr. Adrian and his wife for their services which spanned nearly four decades.

Professionally he was a member of Blessing Hospital Medical Staff and had served as president in 1978. He was a member of Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, American Association of Family Physicians, Illinois Medical Association, Adams County Medical Society and American Medical Association.

He was an active member of First Federated Church in Clayton, Clayton Lions Club and American Legion Post 286. He had served in the Army Air Corps 1946-47.

Survivors also include three sons, Frank A. Adrian of Portand, Ore., Robert K. Adrian of Quincy, and Thomas J. Adrian of Philadelphia, Pa.; three daughters, Mrs. Scott (Emmy L.) Moore of Decatur, Mrs. Kevin (Nancy P.) Smith of Lake Forest and Mrs. Roger (Mary A.) Nunlist of Cincinnati, Ohio; two step-daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Gloria J.) Lantz and Mrs. John (Eleanor R.) Naught, both of Clayton; two step-sons, John R. Gieker of Salem, Ohio, and David K. Gieker of Clayton; three sisters, Mrs. John (Clara) Craft of Chicago, Mrs. Ed (Jane) Moticka of Springfield, and Mrs. Fred (Kay) Vondy of Gore, Va.; 12 grandchildren, Adams and Nicholas Moore, Andrew and Carolyn Adrian-Karlin, Robert, Laura, Michael and Evelyn Adrian, Alison and Ashley Smith, Samuel and Emily Nunlist; 10 step-grandchildren, Michael Naught, Kimberly and Christopher Lantz, Jennifer Smith, John Gieker Jr., Kelly and Carrie Gieker, Chris and Melissa Tschargi, and Kimberly Stanley; and 7 step-great-grandchildren.

Services were conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, 1996 in First Federated Church of Clayton by the Rev. Mary Korthals and the Rev. Roger Selves. Burial was in South Side Cemetery at Clayton with military rites by the American Legion Post 286.

Visitation was held 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Hamilton Funeral Home in Clayton.

Memorials may be made to Blessing Foundation for Hospice, First Federated Church of Clayton or Clayton American Legion Post 286.

Obituary contributed by Sue Whitaker