IN MEMORIAM: Frank Wallner, Seabury Western ‘04
The Rev. Frank Joseph Wallner, Seabury Western Class of 2004, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bala Cynwyd, and priest in charge at Saint David’s Episcopal Church in Manayunk, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in his sleep, on September 6, 2025.
Father Frank was born in Queens, New York on November 3, 1946, to Frank Joseph Wallner Sr. and Jean Biernaski Wallner. He graduated from Xavier high school in Queens, New York and completed his undergraduate studies at Scranton University. Father Frank held three master’s degrees, including a Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary as well as his D.Min. from SWTS.
As an undergraduate, Father Frank was a member of the Fatima Club, made up of students from Scranton and Marwood Universities. The Fatima Club assisted the Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima Orphanage to care for and entertain the children in their charge. Father Frank spoke fondly and often of his time with Fatima and it clearly played a seminal role in his Christian formation.
After graduation, Father Frank taught English at Valley Central High School in Walden, New York, where he was the advisor for the school newspaper, and escorted student tour groups through Europe.
While in Walden, he attended Saint Andrews Episcopal Church, where he experienced his calling into the priesthood. He was ordained in 1984, returning to St. Andrew’s to celebrate his first mass. In 2005, Father Frank became a proud daddy, when he adopted his son Nathan.
In his later years, Father Frank supported the Darby ministry, the ministry of Chester Eastside, Saint Gabriel’s feeding ministry, and Saint James School. He was an avid singer, participating in the West Chester Community Chorus and the Havertown Choristers.
Father Frank is survived by his son Nathan Daniel Wallner, his cousins Richard and Barbara Wallner, and his cousin Barbara Stuchinski.
Services for Father Frank were held at 10 AM on September 15, at St. John’s Church, 404 Levering Mill Rd, Bala-Cynwyd PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. John’s Church or to St. James School, Philadelphia.
