Kenneth Lee Franklin

Kenneth Lee Franklin, 92, of St. Thomas PA went to be with his Lord and Savior March 11, 2024 after a six- month battle with lymphoma. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

Ken is survived by his wife of 72 years, Freda I. Franklin. He is also survived by daughters Chris Mann, Greta Elliott, Keann Russell and husband, Turk, Paula King and husband, Bill, and sons Karmon Franklin and wife Marian, Michael Ryder and wife Shari, and Lee Evans and wife Tammie. In addition, Ken has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family all across the country that he enjoyed visiting. He has one surviving sister, Linda Watson, and 7 deceased brothers and sisters.

Ken was born on November 29, 1931 to Paul Winfield and Della Mae Catherine (Williams) Franklin in Mt. Holly Springs, PA and was raised by his grandparents Ezra and Mary (Mohn) Williams.

After graduating from Carlisle High School in 1950, Ken married his high school sweetheart Freda Irene (Thumma) on June 6, 1952. Then he went on to graduate from Elizabethtown College in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, and was ordained to the ministry in 1955 at the Huntsdale Church of the Brethren.

After graduation, Ken had a summer pastorate at the Church of the Brethren in Hollywood, VA, and then travelled to Mifflinburg, PA to become the pastor of the Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren. Mifflinburg is also the place where he got his teaching credential and started his teaching career. Mr. Franklin was the infamous 8th and 9th grade English teacher at East Jr. High School beginning in 1959 until 1989, and then he taught at the Waynesboro High School until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Franklin also taught the adult GED program for 16 years during his tenure.

Reverend Franklin later pastored at the Rouzerville, Drexel Hill, and Thurmont Church of the Brethren. After Thurmont, he travelled and ministered the gospel all over the lower 48 states, Alaska, Canada and Mexico from 1969 until 2016. Ken thoroughly enjoyed preaching the gospel and teaching the Word of God. He was a good friend to those he ministered to and always had a listening ear and a pastor's heart.

Ken has loved gardening since he was 5 years old, learned from his grandma how to nurture seeds and plants, and spent countless hours in his flowerbeds and vegetable garden. His beautiful flowers and organic vegetables were his pride and joy. He loved sharing the fruit of his labors. Ken loved the outdoors, enjoyed hunting with his sons and was able to hunt successfully through age 91.

Memorial Services will be on March 23, 2024 at the St.Thomas-Edenville United Methodist Church, 360 St Thomas-Edenville Rd. St. Thomas, PA 17252

Visitation begins at 10:00 am with the Celebration of Life Service to begin at 11:00 am. The service will also be on Facebook Live at St.Thomas-Edenville United Methodist Church. A light meal will be served following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to World Challenge Inc., PO Box 8930 Pueblo, CO 81008