Edwin “Ed” Ray Franke, 84, finished the purpose of his earthly life in Brownwood on Monday, April 19,2021.
Funeral Services for Ed will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Calvary Baptist Church with Artie Woodcox and Ronnie White officiating; burial will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Blaylock Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood.
Edwin was born on July 12, 1936, to Alfred William Franke and Annie (Hanke) Franke in Cross Plains. He graduated from Cross Plains High School in 1954. While in high school he was captain and lettered in basketball. His love for basketball and almost any other kind of sport was evident if you spent any time at all talking with him. It didn’t matter whether it was high school, college or pro, he watched it and knew the statistics. After high school, Edwin worked in the oil fields, Tasty Foods, and eventually became a scheduler for 3M in 1966. After 35 years of service, he retired from 3M in 2001.
Edwin married Pencie Doris Smith on June 23, 1962. He wasn’t a man of many words, but he loved his family. He enjoyed playing 42 with his brothers, nephews (and whoever else he could get to play) when they would get together. His brothers and he played so much together, that after the first domino was thrown, they could tell you what the other dominoes each one held in their hand. He found pleasure working in his yard, hunting and was an avid bowler until a shoulder injury forced him to quit. Edwin was an active and long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon. Pencie and he enjoyed hosting Sunday School socials in their home where he looked forward to playing Skip-Bo, Canasta, and 42.
Edwin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Pencie Doris Franke; son, Jeffrey Lehn Franke and wife Kelly of Early; daughter, Janet Kay Fronk and husband David of Parker, TX; two brothers, Leo Ghen Franke of Cross Plains, Raymond Troy Franke and wife Faye of Cross Plains; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Merlin George Franke and his wife, Betty; and sister, Francis Marie Bartek and her husband, Frank.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund (1719 Ninth St. Brownwood, Texas 76801). Online condolences for the family are welcome at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com.
