Wolfgang Franke, 75

LEWES - Wolfgang Franke, of Lewes, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2008, at his residence. He was 75.

He was born Aug. 25, 1932, in Cincinnati, son of the late Wolfgang O. Franke Sr. and Adeline (Connelly) Franke.

Mr. Franke started coming to Lewes on weekends in 1984 and became a full-time resident in 1994.

He was a facilities manager for First Fidelity Bank in New Jersey for eight years, retiring in 1994.

Mr. Franke served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956.

He sang with the Cherry Hill (N.J.) BarberShop Chorus and joined the Ocean View Barbershop Chorus once he relocated to Delaware. He also sang with the Lewes Men's Community Chorus.

Mr. Franke was a substitute teacher in the Indian River School District and at Sussex Tech. He also mentored elementary school age students.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Julia C. Franke; a daughter, Christine Ann Thom and her husband Michael J. of Abington, Md.; a son, Charles David Franke of Pine Hill, N.J.; two grandchildren, Bryan Thom and Kelsey Anne Thom; a siste, Cecelia Armano of Berlin, N.J.; and two brothers, Herman Franke of Wilmington, S.C., and Carl Franke of Chico, Calif.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Georgia Kernan.

A memorial service will be held at St. George Episcopal Chapel, Beaver Dam Road, near Angola, on June 29, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Harry Collins officiating.

Interment will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Enterprises, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.