Obituaries
Obituary of Tom Franzen
Tom Franzen, 73, a cherished man known for his kindness, caring and humor left us to enter the gates of Heaven with his wife and daughters by his side at Barnes Jewish Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis on November 3, 2024.
He was born on June 28, 1951, in Litchfield, a son of William “Bill” and Rosezella “Doll” Franzen. He was a graduate of Mt. Olive High School Class of 1969 and attended McKendree College. He was a proud Mt. Olive native.
He married the former Karen Coatney on October 6, 1972. They were married 52 years.
He stepped into the insurance industry where he found a lifelong passion spanning nearly 50 years. He served as Vice President and a Principal of Scheller Insurance Agency, Inc. for nearly 40 years. He continued to enjoy his role as President of Thomas F. Franzen & Co. Insurance and Risk Management consulting firm.
Tom enjoyed sharing his skillset and insights through numerous civic and volunteer roles such as being a Board member of HSHS St. Francis Hospital, serving as chairman for four years, and former Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Litchfield Economic Development Coalition. He was a valued member of the Board of Directors for First National Bank of Litchfield for over 20 years and a long-time consultant to the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association.
He was a proud member of Litchfield Antlers Club, Litchfield Country Club, Alpha Kappa Tau Fraternity, Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, and Risk and Insurance Management Society.
He was happiest when riding through life on his motorcycle, swinging a golf club, hunting, fishing and making memories with his beloved family. His faith was of the utmost importance to him. He never met a stranger and loved conversations with anyone he encountered.
Tom is survived by his wife, Karen; two daughters, Jennifer (Jeff) Franzen-Ballard of Hazel Green, AL and Sarah Franzen of Normal; and three grandsons, Jeffrey Franzen, Chase (Jordan) Ballard and Matthew Ballard.
He was proceeded in joining the Lord by his parents and many aunts and uncles. He was no doubt greeted at Heaven’s gates by his good friend and dog, Jack.
Services will be held Saturday, November 16 at the Methodist Church of Mt. Olive. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 p.m. with a memorial service immediately following. Rev. Dr. Tony Bell of Bethlehem UMC in Claremont, NC will be presiding and Pastor Kevin Simburger of Methodist Church of Mt. Olive assisting. Interment will be private with his family at a later time.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Methodist Church of Mt. Olive or doing something kind for someone, as doing so was in his very nature. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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Lois Ilaine Erspamer Sawyer, 94 of Gillespie, died at her residence on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 9:51 am. She was born on February 9, 1930, in Gillespie to Louis Poi and Bertha Annetta Sunman Poi Lewis.
She married John Peter Erspamer on September 4, 1950. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1989. She married Dempsey Sawyer on May 15, 1993, and he preceded her in death in 2016. She had been a bookkeeper for Duracraft and Daley’s Chevrolet. Lois enjoyed reading, gardening, painting, drawing, cooking, traveling, bird watching, adventures, her family and her beloved cat, Molly.
She is survived by her children, Ann (Timm) LaRoche of Gillespie, Joan (Paul) Alexander of Gillespie, and Lynn Erspamer of Litchfield; grandchildren, Shannon (David) Wright of Gillespie, Suzanne (companion, Josh) DeMartini of Madisonville, KY, Jared (Amanda) Johnson of Staunton, Adam (Ashli) Alexander of Gillespie, Travis (Laura) Mize of Dallas, TX, Britini Bernardini of Nokomis, and Marissa (Jacob) Summers of Litchfield; great grandchildren, Macie, Isabel and Alexander Wright, Joseph and Gino DeMartini, Brianna Johnson, Ansley Alexander, Lucas and Jeffrey Bernardini, Fisher, Sabrina and Gabriella Crow; great great grandchild, Dominic Joseph “DJ” DeMartini; sisters, Patricia Thompson of Carmel, IN, Phyllis Dodd of Pooler, GA, and Marion Boston of Springfield; and brothers, Ernie Lewis of Carbondale and Fred Lewis of Ft Meyers, FL.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, and brother, John Lewis.
Private services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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