Eric Franke, 100, the former owner of a sprinkler irrigation business in Whiting, died Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, at the Sycamore Glen Health Center in Miamisburg, Ohio.
Private funeral services were held.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Shuda Family Funeral Home in Stevens Point. Condolences may be offered online at shudafuneral.com.
Mr. Franke was born on a farm in Fish Creek, educated in a one-room rural school and attended Gibraltar High School. He spent his early boyhood on the family farm until 1939.
At the minimum age of 21, he was elected to public office.
He was the owner/operator of Cherry Distributing Co. for 13 years and was the pioneer distributor of fresh-pitted and sugared Sturgeon Bay cherries until drafted into the military service.
He spent three years plus in service, 18 months in the southwest Pacific with the 5th Air Force. He was honorably discharged with rank of corporal from the Army in December 1945.
After his discharge, he became involved in the sprinkler irrigation business - first in Sturgeon Bay, Waupaca and finally in Whiting. The business was known as Franke's Irrigation.
He was a member of The Christian Science Church of DAV.
Survivors include one son, John (Ann), Stafford, Va.; one stepson, William, Columbus, Ohio; and three grandchildren.