Richard Franklin 82, of Selma died Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. As was his wish his body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer is in charge of the arrangements.

Richard Dean Franklin was born September 10, 1935 in Batavia, Iowa, the son of Robert and Guida Mae Brewer Franklin. He was united in marriage to Nancy Lee King on December 24, 1953. Richards working career included some factory work, a short while as a heavy equipment operator and owner/operator of Franklin Logging. He had a soft spot in his heart for animals and he was an avid cat collector. Richard enjoyed drinking coffee and catching up on the latest gossip with his friends in Birmingham and Douds. Over the years he had overcome several challenges in life. As a result, it led Richard to teach his family "Judge not lest ye be judged." After winning his battle with sobriety Richard never hesitated to help a friend and explained to others "You simply don't know until you've been there."

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Nancy Franklin; two sons, Danny and Richard Franklin; two brothers, Kenneth and Robert Franklin; a great grandson, Derrick Ball; a son-in-law, Randy Bliefert and a sister-in-law, Ila Franklin.

Richard is survived by his three children, Christie (Slate) Sweat of Fremont, Teresa Bliefert of Keosauqua, and Kenneth Franklin of Douds. He also leaves behind an honorary son, Mark Ebert of Keosauqua; three brothers, General Franklin of Montrose, Gary (Sharon) Franklin of Douds, John (Barb Jacobs) Franklin of Montrose; a sister-in-law, Joyce Franklin Harrington of Keosauqua; two daughters-in-law, Ramona Franklin of Keosauqua and Michelle Mize of Knoxville, TN. His legacy will also be cherished by eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.