Dr. Frank Jevnikar, M.D.

FRANK W. JEVNIKAR, M.D., age 52; passed away early in the morning of March 22 after a 7–month battle with cancer; devoted husband for 23 years of Leslie (nee Wagner); cherished father of William, Benjamin, and Daniel; loving son of William and Donna (nee Fadel), and son–in–law of Jean B. Wagner; dear brother of Jeff (wife Lori) and David, and brother-in-law of Jim Wagner (wife Lynn); dearest uncle of Casey, Loren, Isaac and Wyatt Jevnikar, and Jimmie, Sara, and Jack Wagner; survived by the family Golden Retriever and his walking companion, Bonnie.

Dr. Frank Jevnikar was born in Cleveland on November 5, 1968 and passed away on March 22, 2021.  He was a resident of Highland Heights for the past 16 years, lived in Stow for 7 years during his medical residency, and grew up in Mayfield Heights. Dr. Jevnikar graduated from Mayfield High School in 1987, went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from Miami University (Ohio) in 1991, and completed his M.D. in 1997 from Medical College of Ohio.  

Dr. Jevnikar loved practicing urology and the many patients he impacted over the years.  He was originally in private practice through Lake Health, and most recently was working at the Cleveland Clinic. During his career, he proudly served on The Lake Health Board of Trustees for 4 years, helped train residents at Cleveland Clinic, and was an Associate Professor at Lerner College of Medicine. An annual “Care and Compassion Award” will be given to one Cleveland Clinic urology resident in his name to help celebrate and remember Dr. Jevnikar’s legacy.  

He loved sports and was a huge Cleveland Browns and Indians fan.  Frank enjoyed golfing, fishing, travelling, skiing, and taking family vacations.  His musical interests included Bruce Springsteen, Lenny Kravitz, and all types of country music.  Sting was a very special artist for Frank and his wife, Leslie, with whom he shared a beautiful love of family and faith.  They enjoyed studying the bible together and volunteering through their churches.  Frank and Leslie were members at St. Noel Church for the past 3 years and previously attended St. Paschal Baylon and Our Lady Chapel at Gilmour Academy.  Attending Mass as a family was very important, as was being a part of the community.  He coached baseball and football for St. Paschal Baylon along with Highland Heights Recreation League, and even a travel team lovingly known as the Highland Heights “Rainmakers”.   

The most enjoyment in his life came from family.  His wife and their three boys were his world.  Watching movies, making meals, and planning holidays meant so much. He and Leslie went to great lengths to decorate, cook, and host their family holiday festivities.  Frank loved traditions. Some of his favorites included from New Year’s Eve seafood spreads, St. Patrick’s Day leprechaun mischief, deep-frying turkeys on Thanksgiving, Christmas tree hunting at Heritage Farms, enjoying Christmas Ale with cinnamon and sugar before the Christmas Eve family feast, and attending Midnight Mass afterwards. 

Frank loved to cook and share new foods with family and friends.  On typical Sunday mornings, he was “the Omelet Guy”. For birthdays, he and his wife loved serving creative meals in the form of breakfast in bed.  He loved smoking ribs and brisket, and never turned down the chance to try a new bourbon.  Frank compiled quite the collection of whiskeys and bourbons in the basement pub, which he was very proud to display and share with guests. 

Most recently, with the pandemic, the family enjoyed binge watching shows together.  To his family, Frank was so loving and generous, as well as compassionate, thoughtful, sensitive, and very much self-sacrificing.  He had a quick-witted sense of humor that made everyone laugh.  He was regarded as the dad-joke king!  He was a wonderful husband, and always did special things for his family.  He was a great leader and was an amazing writer and speaker.  He had so much left to give.  His family, friends, patients, and colleagues loved him so much, and he will be missed by many.   

Contributions suggested in memory of Frank to St. Noel Catholic Church, 35200 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills, 44094 or Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 21281 Chardon Rd., Euclid, 44117.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Private Family Mass of Christian Burial will be Live Streamed Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 10 AM. Family and friends will be received to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Frank at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) FRIDAY 2-8 PM. 

LIVESTREAM OF MASS HERE