Mildred V Franklin

Born March 19, 1923 in Windyville, MO to Frank and Sadie (Stafford) Dugan, she married Charley B. Franklin on June 18, 1944 in Texarkana, Texas.  He died October 18, 2002 in Pekin.  She also was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers and three sisters.

Surviving are two sons, Gerald "Jerry" (Brenda) Franklin of Pekin and Christopher (Angela) Franklin of Columbus, OH; six grandchildren, Jerelyn (Jim) Mason of St. Louis, MO, Andrea Franklin of Rochester, NY, Elizabeth Franklin of St. Louis, MO, Isac Franklin, Brett Franklin and Drew Franklin, all of Columbus, OH; six great-grandchildren and one sister, Joyce (Ronnie) Powell of Windyville, MO.Mildred worked for the USDA Soil Conservation Service in Pekin as a secretary for 20 years before retiring.

She was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church in Pekin, where she was a Sunday school teacher for more than 40 years.  She also faithfully served the church as a member of the choir, as the longtime church treasurer and on many committees.  She was a member of her church's Ladies Missionary Society.

She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan.  Mildred enjoyed sewing.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  The Rev. Randy Justus will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 1301 South 14th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com