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Stephen Franke Obituary
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Fritz R. Franke. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Diane Franke; sons, Stephen Franke Jr. and wife Erin, Bill Franke and wife Janene; grandchildren, Morgan, Sydney, Caroline and Conrad Franke; brothers, Michael, Mark and Tim Franke; sisters, Bethany Franke and Melanie Spencer.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2011 at Kingwood Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Kingwood Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the PROMES program c/o the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Franke
Adam Lecompte
February 3, 2012
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Rod Walsh
February 1, 2012
I had the pleasure of working with Steve on two occassions. Steve was smart, honest, personable, funny and a really caring human being. God bless you.
January 10, 2012
Diane,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely ~ Michael Griffin
Joe Donovan
January 7, 2012
Diane - It was our pleasure to get to know you both through the extended Columbia Football family. We enjoyed our yearly visit at Homecoming; tailgating; catching up; bragging over family and, of course, discussing Columbia Football. We echo the O'Connor's sentiment that Steve was probably the most loyal Columbia Football fan. More importantly, he was a big hearted man who loved his family. Our deepest sympathy. Love and prayers to you and your family, Joe, Dede, Joe and Shannon Donovan
January 5, 2012
Dear Diane,
Yvonne and my thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. I have always considered Steve as my very good friend and I will miss him. We worked closely together for six years on two very successful major projects at Wood River and Deer Park. We spent a lot of time together at work and after work. He worked very hard and we had a lot of fun hanging out after work. He always stayed on top of his work and motivated people to do the same. Steve was great at providing guidance and teaching his staff while always being respectful of others. He was a team player and worked for the success of others as well as his own organization. I have always felt that working with Steve made me a better employee for Shell and being his friend made me a better person. I will miss seeing Steve but he will remain with me in spirit always.
Russ Herring Houston, Texas
Dan and Theresa Daley
January 5, 2012
We were saddened to hear of Steve's passing. He was a great person to be around and a real professional at work. May God bless his family and others he left behind.
January 4, 2012
Diane and family, Steve was a charming, funny and smart man. I am so sorry to learn of his passing. Know my thoughts are with you
Marilyn Taylor, Lago Vista, Texas
Ron and Linda Andrews
January 4, 2012
Diane and Family,
We were at Wood River when Steve first arrived to take his Tech Manager role. It didn't take long for Steve to make a big impact on the whole culture and social network of the refinery - in a very positive direction. Steve's love of life and family are evident in the photo's posted, and he brought that same sense of life to people around him at work. For this and the help he provided to many along their career paths, we will always remember him fondly.
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
January 4, 2012
Diane, Steve will always missed by those that knew him. He was so proud of his family and perhaps the most loyal Columbia football fan ever! I am happy that he was able to partake in our regular tailgate party for the victory over Brown. Once again, our condolences.
Joanna and John O'Connor
Mary Helen Sotelo
January 3, 2012
Dear Diane, Stephen and Billie,
I am so sorry to hear about Steve. So many Ginger Creek memories came flooding back when I heard. I guess we all must go through this at one time or another but one is never prepared for that moment. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Fondly, Mary Helen
Jim Newlin
January 3, 2012
Diane,
Our deepest sympathies and condolences on your loss. Steve was a great friend and co-worker. He cared deeply about those his career touched. I feel so blessed to have had him in my life. You and your family will be in our prayers over the coming days and weeks.
I take comfort knowing Steve is with his heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please take comfort and peace knowing Steve is truly home resting in the loving arms of Jesus.
Jim and Carol Newlin
Paul Weinmann
January 3, 2012
Sent with the sympathy of his friends at Wood River. He will always be remembered as one of the "Good Ole Boys" Tony Calcaterra and J.I.Smith.
Enjoyed working with and partying with Steve. He was one of the good ones.
Teresa Sterriker
January 3, 2012
Steve Jr & Family, I never knew your father, however, when I view his photos, I see a sweet, gentle, fun-loving, family man. My heart and prayers go out to you during this time of loss and grieving. May God bless you and your family. - Teresa Sterriker (Office Manager at Reynolds & Franke, PC)
John Matthews
January 3, 2012
I really enjoyed working with Steve. We would meet several times during the year to select students for the PROMES Shell Scholarship. He was very enthusiastic about helping our students who really needed the funds to stay in school. He also helped them to get mentors and internships. He was the main reason that this scholarship has continued to this day. He will be sorely missed by the students and staff of PROMES at University of Houston. We wish his family heartfelt condolences for your loss of this wonderful man.
John Matthews, Program Manager of PROMES at University of Houston
January 3, 2012
Diane, my love and prayers are with you and all the family during this time of loss.
Ethel McCormick
(Kingwood,TX)
Steven Wolfson
January 3, 2012
My sincere condolences to Diane and all the family.
It is always tragic and sorrowful to lose a family member,but to lose an amazing person like Steve, at his age, is extra sad. Despite not seeing or contacting Steve in over 45 years, since our days together at Columbia as fraternity brothers and fellow engineering students, we instantly reconnected on classmates.com about a year ago.
Steve was the most likeable person I ever met, and I will always remember the happy times I spent with him at Columbia.
Richard and Cinde Gerth
January 3, 2012
Steve brought so much fun to our life. We will miss him. Our thoughts are with Diane, Stephen, Bill and their families.
Bill and Sonnie Robb
January 3, 2012
Dear Diane,
Unfortunately, the distance from Houston prevents us from visiting and expressing personally our deepest sympathy to you, Stephen, Bill and families.
We are grateful for our recent visits with Steve and you in New Orleans and last New Year's Eve and we were reminded of how long we have known one another. Steve talked about you and the boys and was obviously very proud of his family. He made us laugh, particularly in sharing our experiences while at Norco. Steve had a great sense of humor and was always smiling.
He will be missed!
Fondly,
Bill and Sonnie
Annette Blanton Quinn
January 2, 2012
Deepest sympathy to Steve's family. He was a SHS classmate and I remember his warmth and integrity. Fun seeing him at the reunions.
Hans & Marlene Nieuwold
January 2, 2012
I remember Steve well and I am sorry to see his passing. He was a great boss to work for . My thoughts are going out to the family in this difficult time and I pray that they find strength in knowing that Steve lived life to the fullest. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Don Credeur
January 2, 2012
Diane, Bill and Steven, my thoughts and prayers are with you. This is so sad to pass at a young age. He will be deeply missed by all he touched. But, we do have all the wonderful memories of Mardi Gras, Indy and the fishing trips we made together. God bless all of you.
Dale Allen
January 2, 2012
Steve will be missed by many of us from his Shell days. I greatly appreciated his counsel over the years. He was a class act.
Lesley Lojko
January 2, 2012
Jack and I were terribly saddened by the news of Steve's untimely passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in your time of grief. We pray that the many happy memories of his life with you will sustain you and ease your pain.
Lesley Lojko
January 2, 2012
Jack and I were terribly saddened by the news of Steve's untimely passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in your time of grief. We pray that the many happy memories of his life with you will sustain you and ease your pain.
Tom & Susan Rizzo
January 2, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Steve's family. Steve was a great boss, mentor, and, most importantly, a truly caring person. He will be greatly missed.
Linda Snyder
January 2, 2012
I had the privilege of working with Steve; or I should say for him as a Secretary. A most fun-loving and kind person liked by all. He certainly has left this earth much too soon. My deepest sympathy.
John Blanton
January 2, 2012
I had only seem Steve once in the last 50 years and that was at our High School reunion in 2004. I spent a while talking with him and was really glad to to reconnect with him after so long. It was wonderful to reconfirm my long held opinion that he was still a great guy. I know he will be missed by his friends and family. I remember him fondly.
January 2, 2012
My condolences to the family at this most difficult time. May the God of all comfort provide whatever is needed so you can endure your great loss.
Chris and Paula Cash
January 2, 2012
Farewell to a wonderful man with a beautiful laugh and a big heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Frankes and extended families during this time.
Nancy and Brock Yarnell
January 2, 2012
Diane and family - I am so saddened to hear this. Brock and I enjoyed our visit with you and Steve for lunch this past summer - we had a great time visiting and "bragging" on our grandchildren. He will be missed very much by many. We had a lot of fun working together with the rest of the "Fuels" gang. Love and prayers to all of you and God's peace.
Gary Barber
January 2, 2012
We will always remember Steve, Diane and the family as part of the "Shell Wood River Family" during the mid 1980's. Many good Christmas Parties, Retirement Parties, and, of course, the salmon flown in from Washington State. The Indy 500's, the golf, the weekly flights to/from Houston during the Wood River Projects, the Cardinal's Baseball, and dozens of other good times spent together. Thanks for all of the memories from Gary & Mary Barber (Katy), Kirsten Viola (Chicago), and Laurel Jackson (Katy).
Michael and Allison Oliver
January 2, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you family. I know that I share some very fond memeries of your Dad. He will be missed. God Bless you all.
John Casassa
January 2, 2012
Steve will truly be missed. He was one of the brightest and insightful people I have ever had the pleasure to know.
His zest for life was unsurpassed as evidenced by the many trips all over the country including the Indy 500, Mardi Gras, Columbia football games, and Hawaii just to name a few. He was so much fun to be around... great sense of humor.
May his soul rest in peace.
Joan & John Lemen
January 2, 2012
It seems like only yesterday that Steve became part of our lives in Brooklyn. His warm SC drawl and hearty laugh still rings in our ears.
Our sincere condolences to the Diane and the whole Franke family on your loss.
Evie Tanner
January 2, 2012
Goodbye "Mr Steve." Thinking of you with love and smiles.
Evie Tanner (+ Wally from heaven)
January 2, 2012
Daer Diane,
Marilyn and I regret being unable to be at the services. We send our love and sympathies in memory of a faithful friend who always shared a happy and productive life. He will be missed.
Marilyn and Gary Dillard
Bob & Roxanne Newell
January 2, 2012
I had the pleasure of working with Steve at Shell's Wood River Complex. A good guy who will be missed by many. Our sympathies to all Steve's family
Greg McCormack
January 2, 2012
Steve, I will miss you. You were a good friend and mentor to me. I have so many great memories of times that we shared together. They cannot ever be taken away. I wish great peace to you and your family.
January 2, 2012
My deep condolences to the Franke family. True comfort comes from knowing that our loving Creator will in the very near future, bring to nothing death ( 1 Cor 15:26 ) and all its accompanying sorrow.
Jack Finley
January 1, 2012
Steve was a fine person. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Tony & Frances Patterson
January 1, 2012
We are saddened to hear of Steve's untimely death. We wish we could be with your family this Tuesday, but we are away in Idaho visiting our grandchildren. My immediate thought upon learning your sad news, was how much Steve valued time with his grandchildren. I always looked forward to Steve's Christmas letter filled with memories of fun times with family. We are asking that God's peace surround you and your family. Tony and Frances Patterson
Bill & Marilyn Carr
January 1, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Franke family at this difficult time. Steve was a great guy, friend, and the absolute best cook for Chili and Southern food while at WRMC. God bless you all.
James Grizzle
January 1, 2012
Steve was exactly the guy everyone describes. A great friend, a person I highly admired for his support of the cause at Wood River and his support in development of so many employees at WRMC.
James Grizzle
Sarah Franke
January 1, 2012
Uncle Steve is the reason: We grew up having Thanksgiving together with all of our extended family for many years... We have an annual Mardi Gras brunch... We are so competitive with our baghats at the annual Halloween Disney trip... My parents have been to Hawaii and Mexico three times... I know what the song "American Pie" is about.
The Grand PooBah of Baghats. Watch out, he'll run you over!
January 1, 2012
Sunny and Terry Martin
January 1, 2012
We met Steve and Diane while on vacation in Hawaii about 8 or 9 yrs ago. We were lucky enough to join them on a couple of other vacations. They both talked very highly of their kids and grandkids. Our hearts go out to the entire family.
Lee Rigdon
January 1, 2012
My heart and prayers go out to the Franke family. Lee & Mike
Rob & Holly Raymond
January 1, 2012
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. May God comfort each of you during this time.
January 1, 2012
Friend from first grade on.
Dean Bell
Baghats
molly martin
January 1, 2012
Ben Cromer
January 1, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. Steve was in my class in school. We were nearby neighbors and played many a football game on the field on Cambridge Circle. He will be missed as a friend by many classmates and friends in Spartanburg and around the country.
Ben Cromer
In Alaska this summer
molly martin
January 1, 2012
Robyn Melville
January 1, 2012
Steve will certainly be missed. We had so much fun with him at Disney. I am praying for all of you. May God grant you peace.
Molly Franke Martin
January 1, 2012
This picture exactely captures Steve's spririt. I loved seeing him smile or tell a joke. His whole face lit up and those Franke blue eyes just sparkled. I have so many great memories with Uncle Steve in them. I love ya'll and am saying prayers. Love, Molly
Steve and Becky Reeves
January 1, 2012
We will sadly miss our old friend! Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Franke family.
God bless you all.
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