Robert W. "Bob" Franke

Robert William “Bob” Franke, 94, of Fort Wayne passed away Friday January 25 at the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne. Bob was born January 18, 1919 at the family homestead near Hoagland and Franke Roads in Hoagland, Indiana. He was the son of the late Herman and Iva Franke. Bob was a long time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. He served in WWII as a pilot in the Army Air Corp. Bob was a firefighter with the Fort Wayne Fire Department retiring in 1969. He also worked as a tool and die maker. Bob was proud of the decade he served as director for the Fort Wayne Little League District 10, he was very passionate about planes and enjoyed the time he spent around his fellow firefighters. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mildred, children; Cheryl (Ronald) Daseler, Bruce Franke, Dean (Janet) Franke, and Stanley Franke, grandchildren; Colin (Kelly) Daseler, Aaron Daseler, Haley Daseler, Jenni Franke, and Megan (Mike) Franke Coccitto, great-grandchildren; Presley Coccitto and Ava Daseler, step grandchildren; Kyle Renkenberger, Jake Renkenberger, and Ally Gallmeier. Brothers Ray and Roger Franke, Maurice Keltsch, brother-in-law, Ruth Cole, sister-in-law. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ralph Franke, sister Helen Reynolds and brother-in-law Donald Keltsch.

Funeral service will be held at 11 AM Friday February 1, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 3705 S. Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior at church. Calling will also be held from 5 to 8 PM Thursday January 31, at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Homes, Winchester Road Chapel, 6424 Winchester Road, Fort Wayne. Entombment will be in Concordia Cemetery Gardens, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne.