Stephen John Franklin

Stephen John Franklin, 74, passed away Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Northwest Health Center in Kalispell.

He was born Oct. 6, 1935 in Minneapolis, Minn., to Magdelan (Cadwell) and George Franklin, and was the second of three sons. He was raised around Anoka and Onamia, Minn., and graduated from Onamia High School in 1953, with his skills on the basketball court being well-remembered.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-60, honorably discharged at rank of staff sergeant. Steve married Grace “Bunny” Siebenaler in Onamia in 1961, and in February 1962, they moved to California. There, he joined the Oxnard Police Department in April 1962 retiring as a sergeant in April 1987. He was well respected on the job.

His enjoyments included playing baseball, pitching slow-pitch softball with the police department team for 17 years, easily outrunning many of the younger team members. He coached Little League for both his son and daughters’ teams. He spent much time with family. Other interests included square dancing, hunting, gardening, genealogy and his favorite companion, Cocoa.

In 1983 on a trip returning from Minnesota, he took the time to see northwestern Montana, and knew the big sky country was where he wanted to retire with his wife, ready to get back to the small-town life. “Eureka” he found it!

Upon retirement and the move, he accomplished his goal of building his log home nestled in the trees with a view to die for. Besides the beauty of this area, he loved the community, the friendliness and giving of the people – Eureka’s greatest asset. It didn’t take long to fit in.

He worked part-time for the Eureka Police Department for five years, and worked as a volunteer dispatcher, joined search and rescue and was a member of the American Legion Post No. 74. He served two terms as Eureka city judge until July 2006, and was an active member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Gerald and James; and a nephew, Michael.

He is survived by his wife, Bunny, of 48 years, son, Sean and wife Sonja of Eureka; daughters, Shannon of Billings; and Colleen Cody and husband Craig of Ojai, Calif.; nephew, Ron Weltzen and wife Connie of Arizona; grandchildren, Christine, Matthew and Autumn Franklin; James and John Cody; Karl Hellwig; and Kyle and Christine Peltier.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m., on Friday, April 16 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Eureka.

Buffalo Hills Funeral Home and Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home handled arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Eureka Ambulance Service or Hospice of Kalispell.

(Information provided by survivors through Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home)