Julian F. Franke III, 78, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 27, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital surrounded by family. Born in Fort Wayne, IN, he graduated from Central Catholic High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956-1962. Julian retired in 1985 after 23 years with the Fort Wayne Fire Department, serving as Captain for 14.5 years. He was also the manager with Fire Systems for 10 years, flight instructor for over 40 years, pilot for Britt Air, Chief Flight Instructor for Fort Wayne Air Service, and Flight Instructor for Eastern Cincinnati Aviation. He was a life member of Amateur Radio W9TQA, ARRL, Quarter Century Wireless Association, where he served as President for 2 terms, Fort Wayne Radio Club, and Fort Wayne Fire Department 20 year Club. Julian loved flying, collecting model trains, traveling, Ham Radio, and above all, his family. Surviving are his wife, Rosanne Franke of Roanoke, IN, son, Julian (Mary Beth) Franke, IV of Fishers, IN, son, Bradley (Terri) Frederick of Fort Wayne, IN, daughter, Janette (Chad) Rothgeb of Ossian, IN, son, Kurt (Kyra) Frederick of Fort Wayne, IN, daughter, Rebecca (Frank) Merritt of Yoder, IN, sister, Carol Didier of Fort Wayne, IN, 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and 4 step-grandchildren. Julian was preceded in death by parents Julian and Evelyn Franke Jr., and sister, Jane Brown. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am, June 1, 2018 at St. Jude Catholic Church with calling an hour prior. Calling at - D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Thursday, May 31, 2018, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm with a vigil service at 2:30 pm. Burial in Catholic Cemetery , Fort Wayne, Indiana. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. Jude Catholic Church or St. Mary's Soup Kitchen or Turnstone Center. To sign the online guest book, go to www.domccombandsons.com
