Franklin Ewing, 85, of Vassar, died unexpectedly Saturday evening, June 23, 2012 at his residence. He was born November 20, 1926 Dewitt, son of the late Earl and Laura (Hubbard) Ewing and was raised in Chesaning, Saginaw and Lake. He served his country with the U.S. Coast Guard, attached to the Merchant Marines, during World War II from 1944-1945. On August 27, 1949 he married the former Audrey “Pat” Cole in Lake. She predeceased him February 12, 2008. In his early years, Frank was employed as a Cowboy in South Dakota, a construction worker, and at Saginaw Paint. He retired from General Motors, working at both Grey Iron and Nodular, from 1965 to 1989. He was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Mayville where he taught Sunday school for eight years and was a Zion Leader for five years. Frank had a passion for gardening, volunteered for Hospice, Habitat for Humanity and was also a foster parent for twelve years.       

Surviving are his children and their spouses, William and Sally Ewing, Patricia F. LeGue, Russell H. Ewing, Laura and James Wright, Connie and Chuck Allen, Carol and Mark Szelogowski, Mavis Shearing,  twenty grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren and many foster children. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters and their spouses, Earl “Norm” and Betty Ewing, Russell and Daisy Ewing, Paul Ewing, Walter and Lelly Ewing, Velma and Grant “Ken” Allen, Marie and Duane Ewing and his close companion of several years, Marsha Laughlin. In addition to his parents and wife Audrey, Frank was predeceased by a daughter, Laural Louise Ewing and his sisters Doris Hilliker and Lauralee Irene Ewing.

A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2012 from the Community of Christ Church, 3615 Mertz Road in Mayville. Elders Steve and Vicki Beebe will both officiate with inurnment to take place later in the Gilmore Cemetery in Isabella County. Frank’s family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Habitat for Humanity or the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Directors, 9940 Saginaw Street in Reese.

Notification Published by Ware-Smith-Woolever FH-Reese

Please contact the Funeral Services Provider if you wish to report any errors in this notification, or if you would like any additional information.