Donald P. “Grump” Franz, 79, of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on Monday, December 31 2018 at Heritage Valley Beaver Medical Center.
He was born in Ellwood City on March 30 1939 to the late Adolf and Estella Marshall Franz.
Don graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City in 1957 , and served in the US Air Force in the 1960’s.
He worked at Babcock & Wilcox Tubular Products Koppel Steel mill for 30 years, and later at Koppel Steel for ten years. He also worked at Barry’s Service Station for over 20 years.
He was a member of Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Don enjoyed golf, fishing, and boating. He worked at Fox Run Golf Course in his later years.
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Carol Biega Franz. Also surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law: James (and Natasha) Franz ; and Alan (and Krista) Franz, all of Ellwood City.
Five grandchildren: Aaron, Rylee, and Maeson Franz; Rachel (Wesley) Thomas, and Kayla (Will) Weller and two great grandchildren: Konner and Kamdyn Weller.
Don is also survived by his sister, Barbara (and Dale) Lauer of Tallahassee FL.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Richard L. Franz.
Friends will be received on Friday January 4, from 5:00- 7:00 P.M. in the TURNER FUNERAL HOME, 500 Sixth Street, Ellwood City. A Memorial service will be conducted at TURNERS on Friday, at 7:00 P.M.
Memorial donations may be made to the church, 610 Line Avenue, Ellwood City PA 16117.
You may sign his guestbook, or send your condolences at: www.turnerfh.com
My fondest memories of “Grumpy” Franz are during our childhood and growing up on the “North Side”. Grade school was a real challenge and our sandlot football games were the best. The toughest guy on the field was Donny “Grumpy” Franz even though he was the smallest guy that played. No one could catch him once he took off with the ball and God help you if you had the ball and he tackled you. We shared everything in those days and I remember loaning him my Mickey Mouse watch to wear and I had a heck of a time getting it back. He also borrowed my bike one summer and when my dad asked me where it was I told him that Grumpy had borrowed it. I haven’t seen or spoken to Donny since we graduated high school in “57” because our lives went in very different directions. He settled in Ellwood and I took off to see the world and settled away from home. My heart was always in Ellwood even after I made a new life and home in Maryland and I will always remember “Grumpy” as a bigger than life small man that everyone respected.