Gerald Franklin Obituary

Gerald Franklin Obituary: "

Update #7 from Chatsworth Illinois Memories   From www.pantagraph.com   CHATSWORTH — Gerald D. “Jerry” Franklin, 61, Chatsworth, passed away at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 13, 2010) at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Martin-Burke Funeral Home, Chatsworth. Cremation rites will be accorded following visitation. Private inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Chatsworth Fire Department or SELCAS. Jerry was born Jan. 17, 1948, in Tennessee, a son of Luther and Eunice Simms Franklin. He married Debra E. Szymialis on Nov. 18, 1967, in Chicago. She preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 2006. He is survived by two daughters, Charisse (Will) Price and Kim (Dan) Retter, both of Chatsworth; six grandchildren, Kelci, Kaylie and Konnor Bednar; and Sammi Retter, Morgan Lamberes and Debra Joyce Retter, all of Chatsworth; his mother, Eunice Franklin, Dublin, Ga.; five sisters, Betty Kea, Dublin, Ga.; Wanda (Robert) Wallace, Iron City, Tenn.; Carolyn (Jack) Dollins, Kenneth, Mo.; Joan (Jim) Howell, Vidalia, Ga.; and Nita Kreuger, Dublin, Ga.; two brothers, Randy and Rickey Franklin, both of Dublin, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was also preceded in death by one daughter, Kristin; his father; and one brother, Dwight. Jerry was an auto mechanic for various shops in the Chicago area. He enjoyed working on cars and building things. He also enjoyed stock car racing, having built his own modified stock car. He loved hanging out with his family and grandkids. This obituary may be viewed, and private condolences sent to the family online at: www.martin-burke-funeralhome.com.

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