----Source: TRIBUNE-RECORD-GLEANER (Loyal, Wis.) 03/05/2003

Franz, Leondo (9 FEB 1917 - 1 Mar 2003)

Leondo "Lonnie" Franz, 86, Wisconsin Rapids, died on Saturday, March 1, 2003, at Riverview Hospital, Wisconsin Rapids. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, March 4, at the First English Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Rapids. The Rev. Kenneth Hanson officiated. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Owen.

Leondo Franz was born on Feb. 9, 1917, in Greenwood, to Henry and Augusta (nee Decker) Franz. He married Loretta Wachsmuth on Oct. 12, 1946, in Greenwood. He was the manager of the Wood County Farm Supply Co-op from 1953-82. He bought the Spruce Park Motel in 1978 and sold it to his daughter in 1993.

Survivors include seven children, Patricia (William) Schubring, West Allis, Phyllis (Charles) Meinhardt, Greenwood, Jerome (Lisa) Franz, Twin Lakes, Jane Franz, Wisconsin Rapids, Randy (Debra) Franz, Wisconsin Rapids, Richard (Debbie) Franz, Kansasville, and Rhonda (Kenneth) Bush, Wisconsin Rapids; 11 grandchildren, Jose Hernandez, Oak Creek, Travis Graves, U.S. Army, Kara Meinhardt, Greenwood, Stacy Franz, Kenosha, Rachel Franz, Kenosha, Jarod Franz, Alyssa Franz, Twin Lakes, Brandon Franz, Wisconsin Rapids, Amanda and Katherine Young, Wisconsin Rapids, and Lindsey Franz, Kansasville; and seven great-grandchildren, Joshua and Veronica, Wisconsin Rapids, Vanessa, Angelina, Megan and Marissa, Oak Creek, and Jocyln, Kenosha.

Preceding him in death were his parents; six sisters, Minnie Laube, Martha Schwartz, Selma Churkey, Arvilla Wessel-Horn, Meta Bolf, and another in infancy; and four brothers, Theodore Franz, Emil Franz, Oscar Franz and Edwin Franz.

Higgins Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, assisted the family with arrangements.