Jack Duane Franklin

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Jack Duane Franklin, 73, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away Thursday morning, June 9, 2016.

Jack was born on Oct. 4, 1942, in Manistee, the son of Frank Floyd and Eileen Edessa (Pierson) Franklin. He attended Manistee High School and graduated in 1960.

Jack entered the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country for three years aboard the USS Elkhorn, a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker, where he traveled worldwide as a radio man third class.

On July 10, 1965, Jack married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Eleanor Stephens, at the Manistee United Methodist Church in Manistee. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015.

After his honorable discharge on Sept. 27, 1966, Jack attended Ferris State College until he was called to enlist in the Michigan State Police training academy. His state police trooper career lasted 26 years. Following his retirement in 1992 from the state police, Jack was employed by Kathy Richards Management Company and was responsible for the day-to-day operations at the Wakefield Housing Commission for 10 years.

Perhaps Jack's most outstanding community project was the Wakefield Area Veterans Memorial. He spearheaded that project and now there are more than 700 names, living and deceased, on the monument.

Jack was very active in many community events. He was a member of the Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084. Jack volunteered at the Wakefield Visitors Center with his wife, Jeanne for 10 years. He taught hunter safety for many years at Camp Superior.

Jack was a faithful member of the Wakefield United Methodist Church, where he held many positions on the administrative board and helped with church projects.

He loved to hunt white-tailed deer, elk, antelope and moose. Jack spent countless hours at his camp, "The Jack Shack." He enjoyed fishing on Lake Gogebic and in Canada.

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Jeanne; two sons, Mark Richard (Geri), Wakefield, and Michael Robert (Christy), Valdez, Alaska; nine grandchildren, Morgan Marie, Valdez, Jacob Thomas, Wakefield, Michael Jack, U.S. Marine Corps in Hawaii, Gabrielle, Allexia, Kaitlyn, Madison and John, all of Valdez, and Aaron Perttu, Soldotna, Alaska; a sister, Alice (Ken) Fekin, Shelby Township; a niece, Kristen Fekin, Bath; a nephew, David Fekin, Shelby Township; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the Wakefield United Methodist Church, 706 Putnam St., Wakefield, with the honor guard beginning at 12:15 p.m.

A memorial service will follow the visitation at 1 p.m., with the Revs. Ted Trudgeon and Jean Rencontre officiating. Also in attendance will be the Michigan State Police Honor Guard.

Following the service, military rites will take place at the church under the auspices of Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and Wakefield VFW Post 9084 Honor Guard.

A reception will be held at the Wakefield VFW following the military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wakefield Area Veterans Memorial, in care of Jeanne Franklin, 2205 Castile Road, Wakefield, MI 49968.

The Franklin family wishes to acknowledge and thank profoundly the wonderful doctors and staff at the Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Wis. They are a truly remarkable group of people who treat everybody with dignity and respect in often trying circumstances. We are truly fortunate to have such a committed group of compassionate caregivers in our area.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.