Earl Franks Obituary

Earl Dennis "Denny" Franks, age 85, of Lebanon IL, formerly of Rittman, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, at 11:01 am, following a surgery to remove a blockage.
Denny was born on April 24, 1940, at Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital to the late Earl "Frog" and Mildred Katherine (Kurtz) Franks, graduated from Rittman High School, class of 1958, and served as a A1C E-4 in the United States Air Force.
Denny was a self-employed Independent Life and Health Insurance Salesman for 40 years, retiring in 2007. He was also part of the Rittman Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years and worked on the ambulance crew and funeral staff at Gillman Funeral Home for 25+ years. He had perfect attendance at Rittman Rotary for 37 years and was involved in the Chamber of Commerce for a number of years as well. Denny was awarded the Million Dollar Round Table for 25 years, attended numerous conventions and was awarded with multiple company trips. He built 2 cars - a 44 with a Thunderbird engine from scratch, and a 44 Stock Car to race.
During his last three years with his daughter and her husband, he found a renewed sense of being. He enjoyed getting to know each of his granddaughters and great grandchildren. He attended the O'Fallon First United Methodist Church and enjoyed his groups with them. He would go out nightly around town on his electric chair and he loved meeting new people and finding new places to show his family. He was especially tickled to death to be here for his youngest great grandson's birth, to be able to hold and feed him. The joy in his eyes was worth it all.
He enjoyed watching the Indiana Fever women's basketball, always watched the Guardians and Cavaliers, but in the end, he was a converted Steelers fan. Lest we not forget his little buddy, Brutus. He was his life this past year and half.
Surviving are his daughter, Kim (Chris)Villmer of Lebanon, IL; son, Kevin (Lynn) Franks of Twinsburg; grandchildren and the greats Michelle (Trevor) Thornton (Emilia, Averi and Luther Thornton); Breeann (Casey) Missey (Peyton, Brayden and Jayden Missey); Amber (Jamie) Sieg; Hailey (TJ) Hollansworth (Colton; Jayna and Makayla Svobda); and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Lest we not forget the very spoiled dogs Colby, Rylie, Dutton and Brutus.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jackie Staton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Metro East Humane Society at mehs.org.