Stephen L. Franklin

Stephen Lloyd Franklin, 55, of Shelbyville, died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, in Indianapolis. Born Nov. 12, 1949, in Shelbyville, he was the son of Orville Lloyd "Popeye" and Ruth Irene (Grigsby) Franklin. He married Janet McColley on June 6, 1970, and she survives. Other survivors include his mother, of Shelbyville; two brothers, Joseph R. Franklin and Thomas J. Franklin, both of Shelbyville; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Alfreda "Alfie" Franklin. Mr. Franklin was a lifelong Shelbyville resident. He had been employed at VTI since 1992. He previously had been employed at Kentucky Fried Chicken, working in Shelbyville on several different occasions starting at the age of 14, and as a manager, in Urbana, Ohio, from 1974 to 1977 Mr. Franklin was a U.S. Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, serving as a sergeant. He had received several awards and served as special military guard for President Nixon and former Senator Jackson from Washington State. He was discharged in 1973. He graduated in 1968 from Shelbyville High School and attended John Herron Institute and Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. Mr. Franklin was an avid oil painter, pianist and photographer. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Broadway Chapel, 232 W. Broadway St. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Barbara Perry officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, with military rites conducted by local veterans organizations. Online condolences can be sent to www.carmony-ewing.com.