Roy D. Franke, 80, of Mount Vernon, IL, passed away at 1:47 pm October 27, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, IL. He was born June 4, 1944 in Centralia, IL to Henry and Goldie (Langel) Franke in Centralia, Illinois. Roy married Paula Leipold on November 7, 2008 in Salem, Illinois and she preceded him in death on March 26, 2020.

Roy is survived by 4 cousins, Dwight Franke and wife Brenda of Kell, Illinois, Norma Smith of Centralia, Illinois, Richard Franke of Costa Rica and Connie Schoenecker and husband John of St. Louis, Missouri.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, wife and cousin Barbara Jensen.

Roy was a member of the National Horseshoe Pitcher’s Association for 42 years. He pitched in the World Horseshoe Pitcher’s Tournament for 19 years. Roy was a member of The First Baptist Church of Centralia, Illinois and since moving to Mt. Vernon, Frank had attended Central Christian Church. Franke worked 13 years as a Distributor for Carpenter Body Works in Mitchell, Indiana. He graduated from Centralia High School in 1962. He graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated in 1968 from the University of Missouri at Columbia with a Master’s of Arts degree. Franke lived his entire life in Centralia, Illinois until moving to Mt. Vernon in 2008.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at Newell Funeral Home at 601 South 42nd Street in Mt. Vernon, Illinois from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Graveside Service will be held following the visitation at 1:00 PM at Cubb Cemetery going in precession from Newell Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Cubb Prairie Cemetery in rural Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Roy ‘s honor to Central Christian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.