John Ray Franke

John Ray Franke, 71, of Springdale, died July 24, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice. He was born Oct. 15, 1940, in Mammoth Springs, Ark., the son of John and Elizabeth Friedman Franke. He was a United States Marine veteran, serving during the Vietnam era. John was past master of the Springdale Masonic Lodge and member of Seagoing Marine Association. He was a member of Elmdale Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and Sunday school director. He also volunteered at Northwest Medical Center. John retired from Tyson after 20 years of service. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jo Ann Ross. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cathy Nally Franke of the home; son, Jeff Franke and wife, Brenna, of Monett, Mo.; daughter, Debbie Martin and husband, Sam, of Fort Smith; brother, George Franke and wife, Catherine, of Wood River, Ill.; and six grandchildren, Daniel, Jacob and Nicholas Martin, and Cassidy, Kiley and Camryn Franke. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Elmdale Baptist Church, with James Muir and Jeff Rhoades officiating. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. Pallbearers are Darrell McFarlane, Buck Owens, Daniel Martin, Jacob Martin, Nicholas Martin, Tom Stalcup and Dwight Thompson. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762; or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Online condolences may be made to www.siscofuneral.com.