Family and Faith was Important to David Franklin Jr., Father of 2, Who Worked in Steel

David W. Franklin Jr, age 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026, having been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

Dave was born May 25th, 1938, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, to David W. and Mildred (Shaver). He grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, then Monroeville, Pennsylvania, after moving back to Pennsylvania while a toddler. As a child, he had lots of fun growing up in Monroeville living in the same neighborhood as his grandparents, all his mother’s sisters and his first cousins. After graduating from Turtle Creek High School in 1956, he attended Penn State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. After graduating, he took a job with U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh. At the same time, he was introduced to the love of his life, Carol A Moffat, daughter of John R. and Charlotte Moffat. The introduction was made by his first cousin Rowena who was her best friend. They were married in July of 1962. About a year after getting married, they moved from the Pittsburgh area to southeast Michigan when Dave took a job at Great Lakes Steel, settling in Grosse Ile, Michigan. There, sons John and Douglas were born. The family moved to Saline, Michigan, in 1976, and they have lived there ever since.

Dave is remembered by his family as a great father and grandfather. Dave was an amateur radio enthusiast most of his life, having earned his first license as a teenager growing up in Pennsylvania. He eventually earned his extra class license, the highest level, which required being able to read morse code at 21 words per minute. He was also an avid bicyclist, riding 12 miles per day even after turning 80. He enjoyed trips with family to northern Michigan, Cedar Point, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Florida, and other places around the country. Family and his faith were very important to him. Dave was always active in the church, serving as an usher, singing in the choir, and even going on an international mission trip. After retirement, he enjoyed being a wonderful grandfather to his five grandchildren.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents David and Mildred Franklin, his sister Brenda MacCurdy and brother Martin Franklin, and his beloved wife of 62 years, Carol. He is survived by his two sons John (Michele) Franklin and Doug (Carole) Franklin, as well as his five beloved grandchildren, Andrew, Josiah, Jamie, Chris, and David.

All are welcome to a time of visitation on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026, from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M., followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 P.M. at Christ Our King Lutheran Church, 3255 Saline Waterworks Rd., Saline, MI, where Dave and Carol were active members. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dave’s name may be made to Christ Our King Lutheran Church. To leave a memory you have of Dave, to sign his guestbook, or for directions please visit www.rbfhsaline.com

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