James Franklin

March 4, 1939 - March 4, 2011

James William Franklin, 72, of Wellington, died at 2:10 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2011, at Provena Covenant Medical Center in Urbana. He was born on July 18, 1938, in Wellington, the son of William Gladys Wood Franklin and Lillian Blanche (Hayslett) Franklin. He married Karen Lou (Duffin) Franklin on May 18, 1958, in Hoopeston. Survivors include daughter, Terri (Bob) Southard of Merriam Woods, Mo.; sons, Robert (Kimberly) Franklin of Hoopeston and James (Sally) Franklin of Oakwood; sister, Carol (Howard) Drollinger of Clinton, Ind.; three grandchildren; and special friend and brother-in-law, Robert (Linda) Duffin. He was preceded in death by his spouse, Karen Franklin; paternal grandparents, Stone and Mary Franklin; maternal grandparents, Henry and Maude Hayslett; and one grandson, Michael Franklin. Mr. Franklin worked on road construction for nearly 35 years with Clements Construction Company and later Voyles Construction Company. He was the village clerk for the Village of Wellington. James also was a volunteer firefighter for the Wellington Greer Fire Department. He was a member of the Wellington United Methodist Church. James loved to fish and play cards and was a member of the Wellington Rod Burner's Car Club and also the coin club. James was a harness racing horse owner, a member of bowling teams and was also a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees. James was also known by many as "Town Jim." Funeral service: 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St., Hoopeston, with Rev. Dustin Wells officiating. Cemetery: Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston. Visitation: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at the funeral home. Memorials: American Cancer Society, 2509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820