CLARENCE FRANKLIN

POMONA, Ill. -- Clarence Eugene "Bob" Franklin, 90, of Pomona and formerly of Grand Tower, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at Rehab and Care Center in Jackson County.

He was born Nov. 12, 1909, at Pomona, son of William Harvey and Cora Belle Childers Franklin. He and Ethel Cauble were married April 28, 1928. She died Feb. 26, 1987. He and Crettie Ellis were married Nov. 26, 1993, at Grand Tower. She survives.

He worked as a shift engineer for Central Illinois Power Service in Grand Tower until retiring Dec. 1, 1974. He was a member of Faith Assembly at Wolf Lake and Operating Engineers Local No. 148 of Maryville, Ill.

Other survivors include two sons, Cecil Franklin of McClure and Gerald Franklin of Grand Tower; three daughters, Evelyn McCaleb of Grand Tower, Shirley Colyer of Thebes and Darlene Carre of Scott City, Mo.; five stepsons, Deon Ellis of California, Mo., Leon Ellis of Pomona, Eldon Ellis and Delmond Ellis, both of Murphysboro, David Ellis of Pittsburg; three stepdaughters, Janiece Penrod and Karen Hicks, both of Pomona and Kathy Wheaton of Jonesboro; a sister, Lena Clover of Ava, 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; 28 stepgrandchildren; 36 step-great-grandchildren; and a step-great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, a great-grandson, four brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be after 5 p.m. today at Meredith Funeral Chapel in Grand Tower.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Faith Assembly in Wolf Lake, with the Rev. Jim Stamp officiating. Burial will be at Walker Hill Cemetery in Grand Tower.