Franklin Smith

Franklin Eugene Smith, 88, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, August 8, 2025 at The Pavilion of Ottawa, with his family by his side.

Following his wishes, no services will be held. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory.

Franklin was born February 21, 1937 in Chicago, IL to Russell and Mildred (Murdock) Smith. He married Sandra (Thompson) Monn on December 30, 1983 in Ottawa, IL. Together they shared 41 years of marriage.

He started working at Nabisco at the age of 18 and retired after a 44 year career. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking many trips to Minnesota. He was also a Chicago White Sox fan and a talented bowler in his younger years. He enjoyed spending time with his family that meant the world to him. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; his children, Robin (Jeff) Johnson, Lorri (Roy) Cavell, Frank Smith Jr., Tracy (Brad) DeLancy, Brad (Carol) Smith, Darcy (Auggie) Lubanowski, and Tiffany (Rob) Lewis; his grandchildren, Ashley (Mark) Rzasa, Emma (Joel) Rapp, Stephanie (Chris) Ring, Sara (Alex) Hoover, Tess Cavell, Andrew (Lauren) Smith, Katie (Jason) Hobbs, Russell Smith Jr., Zach Smith, Jess (Jaden) Harmon, Mitch DeLancy, Brittany (Andrew) Hackett, Samantha (Jason) Milton, Cassie (Jeremiah) Kinkin, Ali (John) Huhn, AJ Lubanowski, Nicholas (Rachel) Lewis, and McKenzie Lewis; and his great grandchildren, JJ and Jaxon Rzasa, Nora and David Rapp, Skyler and Raine Ring, Aiden Smith, Christian, Able and Kale Hobbs, Millie and Rhett Harmon, Iggy and Emily Hackett, Olivia, Evelyn, Abby and Jake Milton, and Loclan and Kellian Kinkin; as well as his sister in law, Penny Jones.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Mildred; his son, Russell "Rusty" Smith; his great granddaughter, Hope Dimond; and his siblings, Roberta "Sissy" Smith and Tom Smith.