Arnold Gene Franke

Arnold Gene Franke, age 93, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at his residence.  Arnold was born in Mt. Olive, IL, on November 3, 1932, the son of the late Bernard G. & Hannah M. (Scheiter) Franke.  Arnold married Roseanne (Moruskey) Franke on June 19, 1954, in Benld, IL. Besides his wife of 71 years, Arnold is survived by his three daughters, Cara Lytle, of Edwardsville, IL, Jenny Franke & husband David Hall, of Princeton, KY, and Susan Jordan & husband Patrick, of Maryville, IL; eight grandchildren, Luke Lytle & wife Angela, of Edwardsville, IL, Daniel Lytle & wife Jayme, of Edwardsville, IL, Tyler Haida, of St. Louis, MO, Brian Haida & wife Allison, of St. Louis, MO, Alexandra Hall & husband Griffin Clausen, of Cleveland, OH, Logan Hall & wife Emma, of Indianapolis, IN, Preston Jordan, of St. Louis, MO, and Sydney Ailstock & husband Nicholas, of Kalamazoo, MI; ten great grandchildren; a sister, Joan Goldsmith, of Jacksonville, FL; and numerous nieces & nephews.  Besides his parents, Arnold was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Franke Haida; two sisters, Ethelina Ruppert and Judith Donnan; and a brother, Bernard Franke.

Arnold was a veteran of the United States Navy. Captain Franke served 5 years in active duty after graduation from Eastern Illinois University and then served 25 years in the Navy reserves. His long career in business included positions at Shell Oil Refinery in Wood River, Illinois, as well as numerous positions at SIUE in university administration, the regional small business development center and as professor. His passions were his family, traveling the world with the love of his life, and the restoration of his Victorian home in Edwardsville completing most of the work himself.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. A funeral service will follow also at the funeral home at 1:00 pm with Rev. Will Campbell officiating.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Edwardsville.  The family suggests memorials to Veterans Caring for Veterans.  Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.     

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