Fay Joseph Franklin

The family of Fay Joseph (Juny) Franklin would like to inform his many friends and relatives of his passing on September 22, 2021 at age 95 following a short period of declining health at the end of a long and blessed life. He was born on December 1, 1925, and his life spanned what may be the most consequential and tumultuous period in American history. He was never a passive spectator in the challenges that meant for him.

One of 8 children of a widowed mother, growing up during the depression, World War II meant an enlistment in the Navy while still in the 10th grade. He saw action in the Pacific aboard the Destroyer USS Shaw. The war took its toll on his young man’s soul, and he found it difficult to talk about it for years, but as with so many veterans, it gave him a burning desire to have a better life when he returned. For him that included marrying Dorothy Ernestine Ball of Okemos, the love of his life, on July 3, 1947, and starting a home and family. It also included supporting them by apprenticing as an electrician with IBEW local 665.

Fay and Dorothy raised 5 children in the home in Dimondale he would renovate and repair through the spare post war years and go on to live in for 70 years. These included the difficult ones after Dorothy’s passing on June 6, 1993 and after losing his daughter, Carla Selis, His retirement years were all devoted to his large family. We all passed through that house infused with Fay and Dorothy’s love while growing up and later for Grandpa Juny visits, Sunday music sessions or extended stays when times were tough.

Fay loved hunting, fishing, playing at playing golf, teasing and joking with his relatives and friends, and embarrassingly, making unusual animal sound imitations. He was very proud of his WWII service, especially when it meant a free breakfast from a grateful citizen. He was a faithful member of St. Gerard Parish in Lansing, attending services and generously volunteering in his middle years and later as often as his health allowed.

Dad will be lovingly remembered for the generosity of his spirit, sense of humor, and kindness by his 4 surviving children, Ronald (Barbara) Franklin, Stephen (Kathy) Franklin, Gail (Mike) Miloch, and Terri Franklin; 9 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary O'Malley and sister-in-law, Piera Franklin.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Saturday, September 25, 2021 at St. Gerard Catholic Church with Rev. Robert Bacik officiating. The Rite of Committal will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00am until the time of the funeral.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com

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