Franklin M. Hartzell

CARTHAGE, Ill. -- Franklin M. Hartzell, 88, a lifelong resident of Carthage and prominent Carthage attorney, died Tuesday evening (April 24, 2012) in his home.

He was born Aug. 24, 1923, in Carthage, a son of Franklin M. Sr. and Mary Ferris Hartzell. On May 18, 1946, he was married to Eleanore Gaebe at her family's farm in Addieville. Ellie died Aug. 12, 2006.

Franklin lived his entire life in Carthage attending Carthage schools, graduating from Carthage High School and then obtaining his undergraduate in 1948 and LLB degree in 1950 from the University of Illinois.

Franklin served his country during World War II and was later recalled to serve in the Korean War, during which time he was a recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage, where he currently served as chairman of the Endowment Committee. Over the course of his lifetime he has served in nearly every office of the church and was a deacon and elder. In his youth, he was a Boy Scout reaching the rank of Eagle Scout.

After graduation from law school, Franklin returned to Carthage where he began his practice of law with Homer Williams. He was currently the most senior partner in the firm of Hartzell, Tucker and Hartzell. He was admitted to the Bar in 1950, U.S. Tax Court in 1956, the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th District in 1986, and the United States of America District Court in 1959.

His professional associations included the Hancock County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the American Academy of Healthcare Attorneys.

He was a member of the Trust and Estate Section Council from 1986-1990, 1997-2006, 2008-2012, and was just reappointed this year. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi and was author of "Ancillary Administration in Illinois," Illinois Estate Administration, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1989, 1993 and 1997. He was city attorney for the city of Carthage, 1955-1969, and president, Board of Visitors, College of Law, University of Illinois, 1981-1982.

He was a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. His reported cases included Kennedy v. Commissioner, (1986, C.A.7)

In addition to the many other organizations, past and present, Franklin was a life member of Memorial Hospital Association and the Hancock County Nursing Home Association, and served as hospital board attorney for more than 50 years; a member of Philip Hartzell Post No. 74 American Legion; Hancock County Post No. 5119 Veterans of Foreign Wars; was a former member and chairman of the board of directors for the Marine Trust Company; former member and board chairman of Colchester Savings and Loan, later First Federal Bank; a life member of Hancock Lodge 20 AF&AM; and a member of the Quincy Consistory, Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Gunflint Trail Historical Society and Ducks Unlimited.

Survivors include a son, Thomas F. (Pam) Hartzell of Carthage; a daughter, Phoebe (Ross) Wear of Carthage; five grandchildren, Carrie Wear of West Liberty, Iowa, Abbie (Dan) O'Hern of Vermont, Ill., Caitlin Wear of Carthage, Leah and Kyle Hartzell of Carthage; and a great-granddaughter, Ellie Evans of West Liberty.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eleanore "Ellie"; a daughter, Susan Hartzell; a brother, Phillip Hartzell; and a sister, Miriam Hartzell.

SERVICES: 1 p.m. Saturday with interment of ashes in Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage, with full military honors by Phillip Hartzell Post 74 American Legion and Hancock County Post 5117 VFW. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in First Presbyterian Church in Carthage with the Rev. Susan Loper conducting. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the memorial service.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, to the Carthage Memorial Hospital Endowment Fund, First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund or Gunflint Trail Historical Society of Minnesota.

ARRANGEMENTS: Printy Funeral Home, Carthage.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.