H. Wayne Franke

H. Wayne Franke, 88, of Lake Isabella (Holly-Fenton), passed away from Alzheimer’s on July 12, 2025 at Crestwood Village, surrounded by family. Wayne was born September 17, 1936 to Pearl and Kurt Franke in Saginaw MI. He attended Trinity Lutheran school and graduated from Arthur Hill. Following graduation, he proudly served his country in the Korean War as a member of the Army Security Agency. With an honorable discharge, he joined his brother and best friends at Central Michigan University, graduating in 1962. Wayne became a senior commercial appraiser for Manufacturer's Bank. Retiring early, he opened his own real estate and appraisal business, held several professional designations and was President of the National Appraiser Society. While working for the bank, he met Dorothy Wilson and they were married March 15th, 1975 in Burton, MI. Together they enjoyed many wonderful adventures, lifelong friends and traveled to all fifty states, Australia, Canada and Germany. A devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fenton, he lived a life of faith through service, kindness, humor, and involvement in the church community. Wayne was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Cherished memories include building ice castles, tobogganing, fishing at the cabin, baseball games, always ready for euchre, grammar correcting and so many more! Our Rock and mentor will be forever missed by Suzanne (John) Foote, Joann (Greg) Rosengarten, Hal Franke and Eric (Alicia) Wilson; plus, grandchildren Brandon Marlow, Sean (Samy) Marlow, Cody (Dominique) Marlow, Ryan and Joel Wilson, Travis (Jacky) Foote, Justin (Ryan) Foote, Zachary Foote, Whitnee (Jonny) Mundt, Quentin (Amanda) Franke and Linnea (Joshua) Hendrickson. Also 15 great grandchildren and countless wonderful friends. Preceding him in death are his wife Dorothy, parents, brother Kurt, sister Helen and daughter in law, Jennifer. Special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Crestwood Village, the Hospice Care Team, Greenacres. A visitation will be held at the Dryer Funeral Home on Thursday July 24, 2025 from 10AM-12PM with a funeral service starting at 12PM. Military honors and burial will follow at Great Lakes National Cemetery. www.dryerfuneralhomeholly.com

H. Wayne Franke

September 17, 1936 - July 12, 2025