Lenora R. Franklin

Lenora R. Franklin, 94, 3976 Michigan Rd., living in Plymouth since 1957 having come from South Bend, died, after an extended illness, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2004. Lenora died in Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home where she had been a patient for the past three months.

Born in Worthington, Ind., on September 26, 1910, Lenora was the daughter of Jesse Lee and Clara Fiscus Reece. She was a member of the Baptist Faith and attended schools in Terre Haute, Ind.

On May 19, 1930, Lenora and Sandy L. Franklin were married in South Bend. Sandy died on October 24, 1996.

Lenora first worked at Ball Band in Mishawaka. She continued to work throughout her life at home and in the community serving as a cook for several years in area nursing homes; then retiring from Pilgrim Manor.

She raised chickens and at one time having 1,500 laying hens on their North Michigan Road property, selling eggs out of their home while her husband ran an egg route in South Bend on Saturdays, while working in construction through the week. In addition to the eggs, she also had a vegetable stand, selling produce from her garden. She simply loved working the soil.

In 1990 she and her spouse both received ‘Distinguished Citizen Awards’ from then Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh.

Lenora is survived by three daughters and their families. They are Marlene S. and Charles May of Plymouth and their children; Owen “Butch” Morgan, South Bend; Pam and Ray Sheppard, Argos; Thomas and Rosemary Morgan, Plymouth; Jill and Gary Morris, Goshen; Robert and Donna May, South Bend; Laurel and Mark Phares, Mishawaka and Mark May also of Mishawaka. Mary L. Soellinger and children; Terry Soellinger and wife Sharon Woloshim of Fortville, Ind.; Karen LaChance and Laura Soellinger, both of Elkhart; Connie and Jim Hertzler of Turkey and Carolyn and Jeff Coyne of Indianapolis. And daughter Sandra A. Weiss of Plymouth also survives along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Lenora was preceded in death by five sisters and three brothers; Jessie “Florence” Sigmund, Ona M. Elliott, Lida E. Crain, and infants Lillie and Imogene Reece and brothers; Ira “Clifford”, Orlando W. and Lee J. Reece.

Friends will be welcomed by the family for visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8, 2004, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.

Funeral services for Lenora will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2004, in the funeral home. The Rev. Charles Green, an associate of the Plymouth Baptist Church, will officiate. Grandsons Butch Morgan and Terry Soellinger will provide a reflection on Lenora’s long and faithful life.

Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth, Ind.

Memorial gifts in Lenora’s memory may be made to the Union-North Township E.M.S.