Leonard Merle Franklin (98) of Edgewood

Leonard Merle Franklin, age 98, of Edgewood, Illinois passed away at 9:34 p.m. Thursday, September 14, 2023 at Lakeland Nursing Home in Effingham.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 18, 2023 at Harvest United Methodist Church in Edgewood with a one-hour viewing prior to the service. Jeff Morrison will be officiating. Interment will follow at Edgewood Cemetery with Military Rites. Memorials may go to Edgewood Cemetery fund or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here. 

Leonard was born on September 13, 1925 in Urbana, Illinois, the son of Orville Earl and Elmeda Abigail (Randel) Franklin. He married Dollie June Ort on September 23, 1955 in Effingham. Leonard served in the United States Airforce during World War II. He worked as a United States Postal carrier for 31 years and drove a school bus for Effingham Unit 40 for 14 years. Leonard was very active within his communities; he was a member of Mason United Methodist Church, VFW Post #630 Urbana, American Legion Post #71 Urbana, National Association of Letter Carriers of Urbana, United Commercial Travelers of Columbus, American Watch Makers Institute in Cincinnati, and a former member of the Edgewood Lions Club. He was a volunteer for the Edgewood Fire Department as well as Edgewood Trustee for 27 years; he was also the former Village Clerk of Edgewood.

He is survived by his wife, Dollie Franklin of Edgewood; a niece and several nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Elmeda Franklin; daughters, Cheryl Franklin and Linda Castellano; brothers, John Franklin, Ralph Franklin, Dale Franklin, Earl Franklin, and Bobby Franklin; sisters, Dorothy James and Mary Franklin; and two grandchildren.