of Benton, AR
November 19, 1933 - October 21, 2018
Wirt Franklin, age 84, of Benton, passed away Sunday, October 21, 2018 in Bryant. He was born November 19, 1933, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to John R. & Mary (Namie) Franklin.
Mr. Franklin graduated from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Oklahoma. He was a weather observer in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956 and was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska and Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. He graduated from Tonkawa Jr. College Tonkawa, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University Stillwater, with a B.S. in Microbiology. He graduated from Oklahoma University Hospital School of Medical Technology and worked as a medical technologist at University Hospital and Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa.
He married Mary Ann Estes on February 12, 1966 in Caney, Kansas. They moved to Pine Bluff in 1966 where he worked as a microbiologist for the Directorate of Biological Operations at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the National Center for Toxicological Research, where he retired from in 1996. He was a past member of the American Society of Microbiology, and past president of Oklahoma Society of Medical Technologists.
He was officially commended by the Department of the Army for his help in the demilitarization of biological weapons at the Pine Bluff Arsenal.
He was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a 3rd Degree Knight at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and a 4th Degree Knight at Hot Springs Village. He was also a member of the Altar Society at St. Joseph's in Pine Bluff.
Mr. Franklin is preceded in death by his parents, John & Mary Franklin; sisters, Daisy Florene & Precious Henderson; brother, John Franklin Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Franklin; children, Timothy J. Franklin (Melodi), Rosemary Ferrell (Jeff), John Patrick Franklin (Rebecca); grandchildren, Andrew & Mary Catherine Mote; Autumn & Tyler Franklin; Isabella, Roman, Caroline, & William Franklin.
A visitation will be held at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with Father Paul and Father YC officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be sent to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church or School (900 W. Cross St. Benton, AR 72015); or American Red Cross for hurricane relief in his name.
May you have comfort through the promises of our Heavenly Father Jehovah God at John 5:28-29 and Revelation 21:3-4.
Mary Ann just heard about Wirt. So sorry for your lose. I know how close you two were
Mary Ann my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mrs. Franklin, Patrick and family,
so sorry to hear of Mr. Franklin's passing, rest assured the Lord is looking over your family. Thoughts and Prayers for all the family. A very nice man.
Norman & Dianna
McGonigal
So sorry to hear of this news!!! Mr. Franklin was such a wonderful man with a wonderful family & I have nothing but great memories of our family times together!
My deepest, deepest sympathies. He was a swell guy, and I will remember him fondly.
Miss Mary Ann and kids,
I am sorry to hear about Mr. Wirt. Please know that y'all are in my prayers.
May he rest with out Lord. I'm so sorry, Mary Ann. My heart is broken for you and the kids.
Mary Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. May God bless you and help you through such a difficult time.
My sincere condolences for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers ~
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.