Frank Anjakos Jr.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the age of 94.

The son of the late Beatrice (Hopkins) and Frank Anjakos, Frank was born June 20, 1931, in Saginaw, Michigan. He graduated from Arthur Hill High School. Frank proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Newfoundland. After his return to the states he met Jacqueline Gidley at a bowling alley and shortly after they eloped on November 4, 1957. Together they shared 68 years full of love, laughter, and friendship.

Frank was born into the family business- after the service he worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. This type of work, however, proved to be unfulfilling. He decided to stay within the family business as a candy maker. He started working in the store his father opened, The Kandy Keg on Michigan Avenue, with the recipes his father got from a candy maker in New York after coming through Ellis Island. The Kandy Keg then moved to Frankenmuth, and ultimately to Birch Run, where Frank worked into his 70s.

Church was central to Frank’s life. He was president of the Men’s Stock Club for Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, member to various boards at the church, and sang in the choir. Frank also loved cooking, especially oxtail and noodle soup and baking bread every Sunday. He got the family together every year to make candy canes, one year making one of them an impressive 4 feet tall. Frank’s little piece of heaven was found on the front porch of his cabin up north overlooking the lake. Anyone who walked by and saw him sitting there would always stop and visit. Frank enjoyed back-country road trips with his wife, Jackie, and always found time to stop for an ice cream and a discarded pop can. An avid auction goer, Frank could be found every weekend outbidding others and finding antiques and collectibles to fill his house and barns. Frank was a fantastic storyteller as well as a jokester, often sharing silly tales and singing silly songs, keeping everyone smiling and laughing. His sense of humor and easy going nature will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.

Frank is survived by his four children: Nikki Anjakos of Saginaw, MI, Sarah (Eric) Laytin of Tucson, Arizona, Frank Anjakos of Phoeniz, Arizona, and Matt Anjakos of Curran, MI; grandchildren: John Seno, Alexandra (Ryan) Partlow, Jeffrey Lapan, Matan (Lital) Laytin, Eliya (Moshe) Sirota, Nadav Laytin, Finn Anjakos, David Anjakos, and Nikolos Anjakos; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents he was predeceased by his sisters: Mona, Theano, Pauline and Lila.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Anjakos

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the age of 91.

The daughter of the late Christine (Czarnecki) and Arthur Gidley, Jackie was born on May 26, 1934, in Saginaw, Michigan. She graduated from Saginaw High School. Jackie proudly enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the first women’s branch of the US Army. After being honorably discharged Jackie met Frank Anjakos Jr. at a bowling alley and they eloped on November 4, 1957. Together they shared 68 years full of love, laughter, and friendship.

Jackie worked as an accountant for Werth Engineering until the birth of her third child when she decided to stay home with her children. After they grew up, she went back to work at Ramar Construction, although she always proudly maintained her role as a homemaker. Cooking and caring for others was Jackie’s love language; her and Frank’s home was open to everyone. She took every opportunity to gather people around her table and serve them: whether it was hosting foreign exchange students, or friends from church to play cards, everyone was welcome at Jackie’s table. Whenever a new pastor arrived at their church, Jackie was eager to invite them and make them feel welcome at her table.

Church was central to Jackie’s life. She was president of the Women’s Stock Club, sang in choir, and taught adult classes at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. She also hosted Women’s Christmas Teas with her friend Connie Elsworth and multiple themed parties in the basement of the church. She was also a member of the Saginaw Culture Club, working various positions and ultimately serving as president from 1994-1996. Jackie enjoyed making ceramic dolls, beading, painting and making jewelry. As a collector, Jackie stopped at every antique shop she and Frank came across, filling their house with all sorts of knick-knacks, especially Santa Clauses. She had over 2000 Santas at one point. Jackie loved to travel and always made sure to take the back roads, as long as they were off the road by 3 o'clock to watch Gun Smoke. Although this greatly extended the length of the trips, it allowed her to stop and explore the beauty of everyday places that are too often overlooked by those in a hurry. Jackie had a pioneering spirit, an infectious laugh and zest for life that drew everyone to her and she will be dearly missed by those lucky enough to have known her.

Jackie is survived by her four children: Nikki Anjakos of Saginaw, MI, Sarah (Eric) Laytin of Tucson, Arizona, Frank Anjakos of Phoeniz, Arizona, and Matt Anjakos of Curran, MI; grandchildren: John Seno, Alexandra (Ryan) Partlow, Jeffrey Lapan, Matan (Lital) Laytin, Eliya (Moshe) Sirota, Nadav Laytin, Finn Anjakos, David Anjakos, and Nikolos Anjakos; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents she was predeceased by her sister, Nancy.

A memorial service honoring Frank and Jackie will be held at 4:00pm on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, 203 S. Michigan Ave, Saginaw, MI 48602. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603.  Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.casefuneralhome.com