Donna Jean Franklin

Donna Jean Franklin (nee: Smith), 77 years of age, and a resident of Henrietta, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2007 following a prolonged illness at The Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Avon.

She was born April 19, 1929 in Elyria, Ohio. Donna was raised in Michigan and Elyria, she had made her home in the Birmingham/Henrietta area for over fifty years. Donna graduated from Birmingham High School.

Donna was employed for fifteen years with the Firelands School District food service. She was a member of Henrietta United Church of Christ where she was past President and Secretary of the Women's Guild, and taught children's Sunday school. She was a member of Firelands Garden Club. She enjoyed traveling, crafts, baking and decorating. Donna was a volunteer with the Lorain County Head Start Program.

Survivors include her three children Christine (Paul) Panek of Newark, Joyce Becraft (Ralph) of Amherst, and Rev. Dr. Kevan Franklin of Wooster; seven grandchildren Tonya Becraft of Hiram, GA, Rachel Rouse of Sebring, Chad Becraft of Elyria, Rebecca Burris of Blairsville, GA, Luke Franklin, Elijah Franklin and Samuel Franklin of Wooster and four great grandsons Robbie and Carson Rouse, Christian and Ethan Burris and many nieces and nephews; her sister Carol Dendinger of Zeeland, N.D. and three brothers, J. Richard Smith of Lorain, W. Roy Smith of Spencer and Kenneth Smith of South Amherst.

She was preceded in death by her husband of forty years Chester Franklin and her brothers G. Russell Smith, C. Robert Smith and William Boyd Smith as an infant; and by her parents Carlton R. and Helen E. Smith (nee: Nyland).

Friends may call Sunday, April 1, 2007 from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 2, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. from the funeral home. The Rev. Paul Eaton, pastor of Henrietta United Church of Christ, will officiate. Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The Alzheimers Association; 1220 Fairhill Road, Cleveland, OH 44120

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