Obituary of Franklin Spain

Franklin Lee Spain, 67, of S. 13th St. Niles died on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, IN of an extended illness. A life celebration with friends and family will be held at Brown Funeral Home 521 East Main Street in Niles, MI on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 4-6 p.m. Thoughts and stories can be shared. A time of visitation will begin Monday at 4 p.m. Funeral Services will be at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tennessee Thursday, July 24, 2008. Family will be receiving friends one hour prior to the service at 7 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Sullins Cemetery in Athens, Tennessee on July 25, 2008 at 10 a.m. Full military honors will be provided by the United States Marine Corps. He was born on February 11, 1941, in Potomac, IL to Fred T. Spain and Hulda A. (Hoskins) Spain. He lived most of his lifetime in Niles. He was employed by Electro-Voice of Buchanan, as a National Service Manager, for over 43 years, where he spent 20 years in the middle of his career in Sevierville, TN. He graduated from Niles High School, Niles, Michigan with the Class of 1959. He then served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1960 to 1964. He was President of Sevier County Jaycee's, and a lifetime member of the Tennessee Jaycee's. He received a degree from the University of Tennessee, and continued his education in Computers and Business. His favorite pastimes were rebuilding cars, computers and attending auctions. He enjoyed time spent with his family and friends, and was always willing to help someone who needed his assistance. On August 15, 1964 in Portsmouth, VA, he married Juanita Odum, who survives. Preceding him in death was his brother, Fred Spain Jr. and sisters, Carrie Stucker, Hattie Quick, Mary Graham, and Florence Shafer. Surviving him also are his brother, Ron (Rosemary) Spain of Niles, sisters, Frances Varga of Niles, Martha Bryant of Florida, Beverly (Ray) Birczak of Niles, Laura Laverna Wright of Niles, and Julia (Roger) Marrow also of Niles. Also surviving Franklin was a special sister-in-law Linda Spain and a brother-in-law Sonny Odum.