Franks, Earl Lester

Earl was born in Millbrook on June 24, 1935 to the late William W. and Dorothy H. (Reyneer) Franks and married Sue A. Wood on November 28, 1999.  She survives.

He attended Shreve High School, Northwestern High School and Wooster Business College. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1956.

Earl owned Happy Hill Farm from 1976 to 1984, where he raised sheep and ponies. He also was the owner of Earls Sohio, Franks Auto and Frank Sohio, from 1958 to 1983.  After retirement, he worked at Wooster Community Hospital for 10 years in the maintenance department.

During his spare time, Earl served on the board of directors for the Wayne County Saddle Club, raised 2 and 4 hitch show ponies and won multiple awards at the Wayne County fair and the Ohio State fair.  He was a rescue rider for the rodeo for one year, and he transported children from Wayne County to the Shriners hospital in Erie, PA. He also spent many years working with Albert Kobilarcik and Christmas in Motion repairing animated characters.

His true passion for was the Ohio State Buckeyes and restoring old cars.  His favorite being his 1927 Model T, which he drove in many parades in Wayne County.

He was a member of Kidron Mennonite Church where he served as head usher for 4 years and spent 6 years on the food committee and 2 years as the co-chair of the church café.

He is survived by daughter Marla Pierce (Greg), son Bryan Wood (Tina), daughter Jennifer Lochran (Donald) and daughter Michelle Lochran (Scott). Earl was blessed with eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren; a brother, Larry (Norma) Franks; and sister, Janet Reed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Lester Franks; brothers, Bill and Harry; and sisters, Evelyn, June, Ruth, Dorothy and Thelma.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am at the Kidron Mennonite Church with Pastor Carl Wiebe officiating.  Family graveside services will be held in the church cemetery.  Following Earl’s wishes there will be no calling hours.  Spidell Funeral Home in Mount Eaton I handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd, Wooster 44691 or Kidron Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 232, Kidron 44636.