Les Franklin 1952-2019

Leslie L. “Les” Franklin Jr., 67, Denison, died Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at his home.

He was born April 5, 1952, in St. Joseph, Mo., the son of Leslie L. Franklin Sr. and Mildred Byers Franklin. He graduated from Midway Denton High School in 1970. He grew up in the Denton community and also lived in Soldier and in San Angelo, Texas.

Mr. Franklin worked for Atchison Casting after high school. He also farmed and was an over-the-road truck driver. He later worked as a rural mail carrier, serving the areas of Robinson, Goodland, Soldier, Havensville and Circleville.

He married Shirley Norris on May 13, 1972, in Branson, Mo. They divorced. He married Jennifer Emert on Dec. 22, 1990, in Branson, Mo. They divorced.

Survivors include two daughters, Wendy Johnson, St. Marys, and Tracy Catlin and husband Ted, Topeka; a son, Jason Franklin, Topeka; two stepdaughters, Briana Coplin, Topeka, and Maggi Emert, Holton; a stepson, Breck Emert, Kent, Wash.; three sisters, Arlene Kuhnert and husband Wayne, Bendena, Sandra Maxwell and husband Ray, Virginia Beach, Va., and Marcille Hanlan, Blue Springs, Mo.; and seven grandchildren, Ty, Allie and Jayla Johnson, Taelyn and Cooper Catlin and Ferris and Elli Coplin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn infant brother; and a brother-in-law, Ron Hanlan.

Family will greet friends from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Les Franklin Memorial Fund, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.