Raymond C. Franz, 93 years old of Decatur, Indiana, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening, May 27, 2015 in the Swiss Village located in Berne, Indiana. Ray was born on Monday, November 21, 1921 in Adams County, IN the eldest son of the late Hugo Franz and the late Lisette (Kukelhan) Franz. Ray was baptized on December 4, 1921 at St. Peter Lutheran Church-Decatur and was confirmed on April 14, 1935 at Zion Lutheran Church-Decatur. He married the late Paula C. Nahrwold on July 31, 1948 in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne, IN and she passed away on May 10, 2005. He was a devoted father and husband and was faithful to his Lord. Ray served his country in the United States Army. He was a Corporal, Tech-5, Third Army, serving under General George S. Patton, in the 80th Infantry Division, Blue Ridge Division, 319th Infantry Regiment, Anti-Tank Company, European Theater of Operation, in W.W. II. He received two purple hearts and was a recipient of the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in Luxembourg on December 25, 1944 while serving in The Battle of the Bulge. Ray was a longtime member and presently the oldest member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church-Decatur where he served as an Elder and a Deacon. Ray was a 1939 graduate of Decatur High School. He was a 66 continuous year member of the American Legion Post #43 -Decatur; a Charter Member of the Union Township Lions Club and served on the board. Ray was a former President of the St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School Board. As a child and young man, Raymond enjoyed working with his Kukelhan uncles farming and their holstein dairy cattle. Ray was a Union and Root Township farmer. Ray was a member of the G.E. Quarter Century Club and retired from General Electric Corporation in 1990 after 49 years of service as a maintenance/machine repairman, and was one of the last five people to close the plant in Decatur. Surviving is his daughter, Jean A. Franz (fiancé, Rev. Otto A. Brillinger) of Decatur, IN; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his loyal canine companion-Sadie. In addition to his wife, Ray was preceded in death by two children, Ruth and David, in infancy; two brothers: Christian & Arthur Franz; numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and his best friend and godson, Rolland "Mickey" Fuelling. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2015 in the Immanuel Lutheran Church-Decatur with Pastor David Koeneman officiating. Interment will follow in the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. Military Graveside Services will be conducted by Adams County Post #43 Color Guard. Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2015 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, IN and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Preferred memorials are to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Worship For Shut Ins. Serving as pallbearers will be Dennis Nahrwold, Michael Nahrwold, Dale Scherer, Melvin Fuelling, James Franz, Walter "Gene" Thatcher, Deron Thatcher, & Gary Thatcher. Honorary pallbearers are Eldon Fuelling, Rev. Timothy Carr, Alexander "Sasha" Carr, & Daniel Brillinger. A special thank you to the CNA's, Nurses, and Staff of The Swiss Village for the loving care given to Raymond during his 20 month stay.
