Michael Eugene Franklin, 70, of Sedalia, died Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Bothwell Regional Health Center.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel with Pastor Deborah Galey officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at a later date in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Fund, or a charity of the donor’s choice, in care of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.
Born April 11, 1952 in Sedalia, he was a son of the late Carl Eugene and Ada Marie Franklin. On April 17, 1993 in Smithton, MO, he was united in marriage to Donna Sue Shaw, who survives of the home.
He is also survived by a daughter, Kimberly Mertgen (Bill), of Warsaw; four stepdaughters, Rebecca Pitts (Jim) of Vine Grove, KY, Halena Smith, Kelly Miller (Myron), and Katie Sisemore (Kari) all of Sedalia; a sister, Carla Anderson (Mike) of Sedalia; one brother, Rick Franklin (Renea) of Springfield: eight grandchildren and three great-grandsons; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was also preceded in death by his stillborn twin Barry Franklin, and his brother Larry Joe Richardson.
Mike was raised and educated in Sedalia. He was a member of the Smith-Cotton Class of 1970. He worked for Pittsburgh Corning in Sedalia until his retirement. He was past owner of Franklin’s Country Store and Ambush Restaurant and Last Saloon of Florence, MO. Mike was a member of Sedalia Moose Lodge 1494, Elks Lodge 125, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He served as past president of Sedalia Sunrise Optimist, Lions Club of Florence, and the 50/65 CB Club, where he was best known by his CB Handle “Big Wheel”. He was also a member of the Pettis County Democratic Club and the Blind Club of Central Missouri. He enjoyed NASCAR, the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and fishing. Mike was a very loving person who enjoyed going to all the grandchildren’s sports and loved family get togethers.