Esther J. Franklin

Esther J. Franklin, 94, of Franklin, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, in The Caring Place in Franklin. Born Feb. 10, 1914, in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was the daughter of Esther and John Axel Johnson. Mrs. Franklin was an employee of Chicago Pneumatic Co., where she was a billing supervisor. She was married July 11, 1931, to Merle (Ben) R. Franklin, who preceded her in death. Surviving are two sons, Darrell Franklin, of Saltville, Va., and John Franklin, of Cooperstown; a daughter, Sandra E. Houser, of Franklin; nine grandchildren, Dirk Schiffer, of Cottonwood, Ariz., Mark Franklin, of Rochester, N.Y., Jeff Schiffer, of Medina, N.Y., John Franklin, of Washington D.C., Randy Schiffer, of Houston, Texas, Patrick Schiffer, of Albion, N.Y., Tiffany Dailey, of Kittanning, Scott Franklin, of Florida and Gretchen Franklin, of Saltville, Va.; 18 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Leora Zinz, Thelma Marwood and Lorraine McCauley, all of Franklin; and two brothers, Herman Johnson, of Jamestown, N.Y., and Shaylor Johnson, of Florida. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Franklin was preceded in death by a brother, John Johnson; a sister, Ione Champion; and a grandson, Jack Schiffer Jr. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home in Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home with the Rev. Joseph Martin officiating. Interment will follow at the Franklin Cemetery. Condolences may be sent online at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com. The family requests memorials be made to The Caring Place.