Allen Franklin

Allen L. Franklin, 84, of Holton passed away at 5:15pm Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus. He was born near Holton on March 26, 1932 the son of Floyd and Ida Barricklow Franklin. He was married to Louella Hutchinson on April 20, 1960 and his wife of 56 years survives. Other survivors include one son Russell (Beverly) Meredith of White Plains, Kentucky; three daughters Gladys (Johnny) Gee of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Patty Higgins of Nashville, Tennessee, and Freda (Ray) Toops of Osgood; one step-son Jim (Susie) Collins of Versailles; one step-daughter Carolyn Collins of Holton; 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and one step-great-grandchild; two brothers Gene (Shirley) Franklin and Frank (Myrtie) Franklin both of Holton; three sisters Leota Conover and Eva Mae Wagoner both of Holton, and Rowena (Robert) Sanders of Murray, Kentucky ; sister-in-law Henrietta Franklin of Versailles; He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Ben. Mr. Franklin was a 1950 graduate of Holton High School. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War and for his military service Allen received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the U. N. Service Medal. Allen was a farmer and was a former employee of the Ford Plant in North Vernon. He retired in 1987 after 25 years with Cummins Engine in Columbus. He served two terms on the Ripley County Council and was a Democrat precinct committeeman in Otter Creek Township. Allen was a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church and had served with the Holton Fire Department of which he was currently an honorary member. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 19th at 11am at the Hopewell Baptist Church with Rev. Ty Choate officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Visitation will be Monday from 4pm to 8pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10am until time of services Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be given to Operation Christmas Child through the Hopewell Baptist Church or the Holton Fire Department in care of the funeral home.