Anthony Virgil Franklin

- Tony (Anthony Virgil) Franklin passed into the light on Friday April 15, 2016 surrounded by family. Tony will continue to live on in our memories and sadly all who knew him will long for the laughter and love Tony gave so freely. Tony served nine years in the Wisconsin National Guard and the Army Reserve, was a Boy Scout for years, an avid hunter, appreciated the outdoors and excelled working in his magnificent yard and gardens. Tony worked smart, played hard, honored God, family, and country and is now at rest. Tony was born in Dixon, Illinois on Oct 30, 1959, as the second child of Joe and Ida Franklin. Tony is survived by his devoted parents, Joe and Ida Franklin and life partner Kim Molnar. Tony’s loss is dearly grieved by his sister, Jo (Mary Jo Franklin) Desmond (John), his brother, Jason Franklin (Deann), nephews Camren Desmond and Carter Franklin and niece, Bailey Desmond. The loss of Tony is profoundly felt by his Uncle Gene and Aunt Sissy (Joan) Lemme, Aunt Rita (Durbin) Abdulla, Uncle (George) Mike and Aunt Kitty Durbin and precious cousins Marie Popkin (Bill), Eric Lemme and Kristin Carlson (Steve), and the Molnar children Cheyenne, Remington, Windsor, Gattlyn, Parker, Angelica and Savannah and life-brothers Tony Young, Scott Paskey, Dave Kroener, Larry Gebhart plus extended family and countless friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday April 19, 2016 at ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHRUCH, 1550 Farnham St. Columbus, WI., with Fr. Steve Kortendick presiding. A visitation will be from 10:30 AM until the Mass on Tuesday at the church. Another visitation to celebrate Tony’s life will be held later that evening from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Tuesday April 19, 2016 at the Cress Funeral Home, 5801 US Hwy. 51, McFarland, WI., Tony will be laid to rest on Thursday in Dixon, Illinois to join his family who have gone before. There will be another funeral service to honor Tony in Dixon at 11:00 AM on Thursday April 21, 2016 at the Jones Funeral Home, 204 S. Ottawa Av. Dixon, IL., a visitation will be from 10:00 Am until the service at the funeral home on Thursday. Our tears will fall; it is love that is urging them to rain. Memorials may be made to St. Jerome School in Columbus, or Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, Wi.

Anthony Virgil Franklin

October 30, 1958 - April 15, 2016