Kathleen Thelma Harris Franta

Kathleen Thelma Harris Franta, age 99, passed away Monday evening, December 3, 2018, at Elmcroft of Ontario. She was born November 13, 1919, in Clay County, West Virginia to Clide and Dessie (Triplett) Harris who resided in Eldorado, West Virginia.

Kathleen lost her father at age three due to a coal mining explosion. Kathleen had one younger brother, Herman Harris, a WWII veteran of the Pacific front. Kathleen's mother remarried a short time after Clide was killed and moved to Ashland, Ohio when Kathleen was about four years old. After a year or so, the family moved to Mansfield, Ohio. Her first job in adulthood was at Westinghouse Corp in the 1930s for a short time. She was enjoying living the apartment life when she met the love of her life, William Franta and they were married at Ontario United Methodist Church in 1937. They lived with William's parents for a few years. There Kathleen gave birth to her firstborn son, Richard Alan Franta and her last son, William Matthew Franta Jr. The family moved to a home on Concord Avenue where she lived most of her life.

Her husband, William Sr., was drafted into the US Army in 1942 and served with the First Armored Division until the end of the war in Europe. In 1947, Kathleen graduated cosmetology school and soon after, opened her own beauty shop out of her home. This business lasted 50 years. Kathleen served twice a year for 30 years at various voting precincts in Richland County supervising the voting and upholding the election laws of Ohio and the United States.

Kathleen is survived by two sons, Richard (Leatha) Franta and William Franta Jr.; four grandchildren, Trent (Cindy) Franta, Staci (Steve) Schmenk, Whitney Albertson and Megan Franta; nine great-grandchildren, Spencer (Tina), Parker, Erika (Trey), Garret, Reed, Samantha, Seth (Vivian), Silas and Tiegan; several Triplett and Harris cousins in West Virginia and Georgia; several Harris nieces and nephews, Mark, Phillip, Kathy, Nova and Pauline; and several Franta nieces and nephews, Louie, Dorothy, Cheryl, Dave, Gloria and Carol.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William M. Franta on February 5, 2002; and a grandson-in-law, Brent Albertson.

The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 22, 2018, at Ontario United Methodist Church, 3540 Park Avenue West followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Peg Welch and Pastor Karen Wagenhals will conduct the service. She will be laid to rest in Ontario Cemetery beside her husband. Memorial contributions may be made to Ontario United Methodist Church. The Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family.