7/11/1919 - 4/30/2017
George Franks, Jr. age 97, a former resident of Portland, Indiana and
Frostproof, Florida, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2017 in Gibson City,
Illinois.
George was born on July 11, 1919 in Portland, Indiana, the
son of George W. and Beatrice I. (Miller) Franks. George graduated from
Portland High School in 1937. He enlisted into the U.S. Army through the
National Guard and entered the service on January 17, 1941. An Infantryman
Soldier of the 38th Infantry Division he served in World War II in the
Southern Philippines, Luzon and New Guinea. He acquired the Combat Infantry
Badge, Sharpshooter Rifle Badge, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with three Bronze
Stars, America Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Marksman Carbine Badge
and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star. George retired
from Sheller Globe in Portland. He and his wife owned and operated Mary’s
Antiques in Portland for several years. He married Mary Jane Bates-Kanam on
August 3, 1946 and she passed away on September 29, 2005.
Survivors
include:
1 daughter: Linda Ludwick (husband Donald) – Muncie, Indiana
4 grandchildren: Richard Ludwick (wife Melynda), Matthew Franks (wife
Chris), Aaron Franks (wife Billie) and Shane Franks (wife Kendra).
Several great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren
Several
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane
Franks, a son, George R. Franks, a daughter-in-law, Linda Geesaman-Franks, 2
sisters, Ruth Lykins and Helen Neuenschwander, 3 brothers, Fredrick, Robert
and Charles Franks.
Special thanks to Billie who saw that George had
special and wonderful care the last days of his life.
Visitation
will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Williamson
and Spencer Funeral Home in Portland. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m.
on Monday at the funeral home. Pastor Hugh Kelly will officiate the services
and burial will follow in the Center Cemetery, west of Portland.
The
American Legion Post #211 of Portland will conduct military graveside rites.
Memorials may be directed towards the Museum of the Soldier in Portland.
Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home; 05/02/17
Contributed by Jim Cox
Buried in Center Cemetery