Martin A. Franz

Martin Franz, 76, of Geneseo, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at his home.  A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at First Methodist Church, Geneseo.  Tim Brinkman will officiate.  The visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.  – 1:00 p.m., prior to the funeral service at the church.  Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral service.  Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.  Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Center, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-9959 and The American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741.

Martin was born July 5, 1946, the son of Edward and Marion (Nelson) Franz, in Hammond, IN.  He graduated from Evergreen Park High School, class of 1965, and went on to attend two years of college.  Martin proudly served in the United States Army from 1967 - 1969.  He was employed as plant manager for Iowa Precision Forge Co.  He enjoyed attending First Methodist Church with his wife, Carla and enjoyed being a member of the Yellow Jacket Antique Boat Society.  Martin wrote a book about the Yellow Jacket Boats called “Mac and His Yellow Jacket Boats” about the history of the Yellow Jacket Boat Company of Dennison, Texas.  He was an avid collector of shark teeth that he would gather while visiting Venice Beach, FL.  He was a real family man.  He enjoyed being a husband to his wife, father to his children, and grandfather to his grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Carla Franz of Geneseo; children, Marty (Katy) Franz of Sunnyvale, CA, Cheryl Hanger of Silvis, IL, and Julie (Josh) Boone of Geneseo; grandchildren, Chris Franz, Kaylee Hanger, Kyle Hanger, Brook Hanger, Payton Boone, Ashton Boone, Everly Boone, and Chloe Boone; and rescue dog, Lady.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Marion Franz; and sister, Susan Andermann.