James Emmett Franklin III (JEF) 5/23/50 – 6/7/21 Jef passed away on June 7th in the early morning hours. He had several weeks of hospice at home in Fort Worth, TX. We were blessed to have 4 good weeks for his family and friends to visit. Family and friends were by his side when Angel Wings carried him home to Eternal Life. Jef never stopped fighting and always believed that he would win his battle with cancer. He never gave up hope and lived each day as he always had. A man of integrity, kindness, humor, and love for his family and many dear friends. At a very young age Jef developed the love for electricity from his beloved Grandfather, Emmett. This led to a love of lighting. His love of carpentry and building came from his Father, Jim. Through the years he would build his first home in Bensenville, IL at the age of 25. He would go on to build several garages, decks, home additions, and did high end home remodeling. Jef was always available to a friend or family member over the years when they needed help. Jef’s final project was helping to build his sister’s house in the AZ mountains with his nephew. Being the creative guy that he was he also became very interested and installed several residences with radiant heat. The house in the mountains was a huge undertaking and his attention to detail was really magnificent. Jef’s working career was spent in Manufacturing. Most prominently he joined a young, privately held, Corrugated Tooling Company. He started in Production building Steel Rule Dies. He went on to rise through the ranks and had many successful years. He remained with them for 31 years. As his Father and Grandfather before him Jef was very bright, very good with figures and had a sharp wit. This served him well throughout his career as did his skill and love of meeting people and being able to talk to anyone at anytime. Jef mentored many along the way. Jef is preceded in death by his Grandparents, James Emmett Franklin Sr. and Grace Franklin (Chapleau) his parents, James Emmett Franklin and Eleanore Anastasia Franklin (Kuharchuk) and sister, Anita Franklin. Uncle Alex Kuharchuk (Dolores) and Uncle Phil Kuharchuk (Rosemary). James Emmett Franklin, III was the first son born to Eleanore Anastasia Franklin (Kuharchuk) and James Emmett Franklin, II. When he was born Grandpa was called Emmett and Dad was Jim. Very creatively and to avoid confusion, the family decided to call him by his initials, JEF. Jef was the second child and first son born of seven children. Siblings include: 1st born, Sue (Franklin) Spencer Children: Joan, Rick, Paul, Steve. Patricia (Franklin) Johnston (Greg) Children: Jennifer and Derek. Anita Franklin, Timothy Franklin (Kathy) Children: Alexander and Tyler. Andrew Franklin (Bethel) Children: Daniel, Grace and Thomas. Amy (Franklin) Klemm (Harry) Also, a Loving Uncle to many nieces and nephews and a Loving Cousin. Jef, A Very Devoted and Loving Husband is survived by his Loving Wife ( just shy of 40 years) Mary Ann (Cooper) Franklin. Jef’s Loving and Cherished Daughters ~ Daughter, Heather Ann (Franklin) Porcaro. (Louis) Grandchildren Elle, Mia, Louis and Nicolas. Daughter, Rachel Anita Franklin Grandson, Wyatt James Corral A Celebration of Life is planned for August 1st at 3:00 p.m. New Covenant Church 4N780 S. Randall Road St. Charles, IL 60175 *Dinner Immediately Following. In Lieu of Flowers donations requested for LCFA. Lung Cancer Foundation of America. *Note: Very few dollars are donated for Lung Cancer research. Help us bring more awareness to this type of cancer which needs more research and has claimed too many good and beautiful lives. Thank You. The Family of Jef Franklin