IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Rex E.
Franklin
October 8, 2016
Obituary
ELKHART — Rex E. Franklin, 92, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at 4:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Elkhart General Hospital following an extended illness.
He was born, in Bedford, Sept. 21, 1924, to the late Lex and Truly (Swango) Franklin and later married Marjorie Smith on June 30, 1947.
She survives at home after nearly 70 wonderful years of marriage.
Also surviving are children Lynne J. Christopulos of Goshen and Lon G. (Carol) Franklin of Elkhart; sister Beverly Koontz of Harrodsburg; grandchildren Jason (Autumn) Franklin and Brooke Trout, both of Elkhart, and Char (Mike) Hooley of Goshen; and seven great-grandchildren.
Five brothers and one sister preceded him in death.
Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is hosting Rex's celebration of life with a visitation beginning at 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, which will include U.S. Navy military honors. Pastor David Harper of the Bible Baptist Church of Wakarusa will officiate and a private burial will follow the services.
Although Rex spent more than 16 years at Riblet Products of Elkhart, his entrepreneurial spirit was never quite quenched as he always seemed to be involved with some sort of business opportunity with his wife, Marjorie.
From the early 1960s with Franklin's Grocery Store to the Play Palace Arcade at Pierre Moran Mall in the 1970s, to being co-owner of Elkhart's Jason Industries, Rex always was striving to complete his next step.
He also served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a gunner's mate aboard various liberty ships, then went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a military police officer where he received a commendation for exemplary service.
Memorial donations may be given to the Bible Baptist Church, 205 E. Waterford St., Wakarusa, IN 46573.
He was born, in Bedford, Sept. 21, 1924, to the late Lex and Truly (Swango) Franklin and later married Marjorie Smith on June 30, 1947.
She survives at home after nearly 70 wonderful years of marriage.
Also surviving are children Lynne J. Christopulos of Goshen and Lon G. (Carol) Franklin of Elkhart; sister Beverly Koontz of Harrodsburg; grandchildren Jason (Autumn) Franklin and Brooke Trout, both of Elkhart, and Char (Mike) Hooley of Goshen; and seven great-grandchildren.
Five brothers and one sister preceded him in death.
Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is hosting Rex's celebration of life with a visitation beginning at 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, which will include U.S. Navy military honors. Pastor David Harper of the Bible Baptist Church of Wakarusa will officiate and a private burial will follow the services.
Although Rex spent more than 16 years at Riblet Products of Elkhart, his entrepreneurial spirit was never quite quenched as he always seemed to be involved with some sort of business opportunity with his wife, Marjorie.
From the early 1960s with Franklin's Grocery Store to the Play Palace Arcade at Pierre Moran Mall in the 1970s, to being co-owner of Elkhart's Jason Industries, Rex always was striving to complete his next step.
He also served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a gunner's mate aboard various liberty ships, then went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a military police officer where he received a commendation for exemplary service.
Memorial donations may be given to the Bible Baptist Church, 205 E. Waterford St., Wakarusa, IN 46573.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rex E. Franklin, please visit our flower store.
Services
Funeral Service
October
14
Billings Funeral Home
Starts at 1:00 pm