Ronald W. Franz

Ronald W. Franz, 78, Decatur, IN passed away Saturday evening, February 3, 2024 at his residence.

Ron was born March 22, 1945 in Decatur to the late Richard Franz and the late Waneta A. (Conrad) Franz. He was united in marriage to Marjorie Bleeke on May 29, 1965 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Decatur, and she survives.

Ron was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fuelling in Decatur. He graduated from Hoagland High School in 1963.

Ron’s love of the outdoors inspired his vocation as a farmer. Along with his wife Marge and son Josh, the family has owned and operated The Grainery since 1995. While promoting The Grainery, Ron created a radio program called “The Garden Guys” that displayed his wit and humor.

Ron was known for being a loving husband, father and grandfather, hard worker and a bit of a prankster. He enjoyed taking the family to Florida for vacations as well as visiting wineries. Along with being proud of his family, he was proud of his own, homemade wine and his autobiography, From Farmboy to Grandpa . He loved making connections with people, listening to their stories and telling his own.

Ron is lovingly survived by his wife, Marge Franz of Decatur; daughter, Jackie (Barry) Sanderson of Decatur; daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Sprunger of Decatur; son, Josh (Emily) Franz of Decatur; brother, Kent (Sandy) Franz of Hoagland, IN; three sisters: Janell (Ed) Harper of Monroeville, IN, LouAnn (William) Beery of Fort Wayne, IN, and Donna (Dale) Schlemmer of Gladstone, MI; five grandchildren: Alexis (Corey) Minard of Highlands Ranch, CO, Sydney (fiancée Landon Baker) Sanderson, Jonathan Franz, Elijah Franz and Jania Franz, all of Decatur; and one great-grandson, Mason Minard.

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Sandy Franz, and two nephews, Derek Franz and Scott Wilken.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 9, 2024 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fuelling with Pastor Leonard Tanksley officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 8 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials are to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fuelling or SPI Lutheran School.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana