Ronald L. Franklin
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP – Ronald L. Franklin, 67, Jefferson Road, Plymouth Township, died Tuesday evening, March 10, 2015, at his residence with family by his side.
He was born March 4, 1948, in Ashtabula, the son of William and Mildred Porter Franklin, and has lived in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties most of his life.
Mr. Franklin was a graduate of Jefferson High School and earned his Bachelor of Science and master’s degrees from Kent State University, where he also met Susan Prosser. On Dec. 29, 1968, in Geneva the two were married.
He was an industrial arts instructor in the Howland school system for 30 years, retiring in 1999.
Following retirement, Ron did handyman work and owned and operated Franklin’s Tall Timbers maple syrup farm, where he not only made syrup but anything with maple in it. He was a member of the Ohio Maple Producers Association.
He was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, where he sang in the choir, and the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau. His pastimes included woodworking, leather work and restoration work – he was a master of any work he could do with his hands.
Survivors include his wife, Susan; four children, Kathy R. (Rob) Scott of Jefferson, Michael A. (Jeanette) Franklin of Burghill, Matthew A.L. (Carrie) Franklin of Lawton, Okla., and Kirsten R. (Roger Philpot) Ruble of Homosassa, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; an adopted brother, Sayed (Margaret) Akbar of Chippewa Lake; and special cousins, Phil and Mary Spencer, Heather Burns and Amy Spencer, all of Jefferson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Kayla Jo Franklin.
Memorial services will be held 7 p.m. Saturday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 41 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson, with the Rev. James Brehler officiating.
Private burial of ashes will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be direct to the family, in care of Susan E. Franklin, 3459 Jefferson Road, Ashtabula, OH 44004.
The Jefferson Home of Fleming and Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 49 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson, has been honored to serve the Ronald Franklin family.
Guest book and obituary are available at fleming-billman.com.
(special notice)