John J Franklin

John J. Franklin, Sr., 82, of Collegeville and formerly of Trooper, PA, and Western Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home on July 11, 2017, surrounded by friends and family. He was the husband of Marlene (Baldyga) Franklin with whom he shared 49 years of life, happiness, and loving companionship. Born in 1935 in Johnstown, PA, he was the son of the late John D. and Vera E. (Taylor) Franklin. John lived in Smithfield and attended Georges Twp. High School, joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17 and returned home to work in the mines and at White Motors in Ohio before coming out east to Norristown in 1963 to work as a diesel truck and auto mechanic—first with Tose Trucking and eventually with National Cylinder Gas, Div. of Chemetron, from where he retired. While at NCG, John served as a shop steward for Teamsters Local 384. Some of John’s favorite pastimes were long rides in the mountains on his Harley-Davidson, attending the Antique Wireless Association annual meetings in New York, ham radio, collecting antique radios and memorabilia, his fabulous vegetable gardens, and trout fishing. And when necessity arose, he could fix just about anything. In addition to his wife, John is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Simkanin; sons John Franklin, Jr., and his partner Darlene Panfile; Greg Franklin; Bill Franklin; Nick Carroll and his partner Loren Caporale; his sister, Jan (Bonnie Franklin) Sikon, wife of Robert Sikon, Sr. and their children Gary Sikon and wife Donna, and Michelle Oriold and husband Darryl of Ohio, and Robert Sikon, Jr., and wife Mary of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and their partners and spouses, and many great grandchildren, as well as his good friends John, Jim, and Ken, and his two sidekicks Jackson and Scooter. John was preceded in death by his sons Richard and Robert Franklin and his sister, Vera (Franklin) Honsaker. Services were held privately at St. Eleanor’s Church in Collegeville. Arrangements entrusted to Szpindor-Meyers Funeral Home Condolences may be made by visiting www.meyersfh.com