Franklin M. Hartzell, 88, a lifelong resident and prominent Carthage attorney, died Tuesday evening in his home.
He was born on Aug. 24, 1923, in Carthage, a son of Franklin M. Sr. and Mary Ferris Hartzell. On May 18, 1946, he was married to Eleanore Gaebe at her family's farm in Addieville. Ellie preceded him in death on Aug. 12, 2006.
Franklin lived his entire life in Carthage, attending Carthage schools, graduating from Carthage High School and then obtaining his undergraduate in 1948 and LLB degree in 1950 from the University of Illinois. Franklin served his country during World War II and was later recalled to serve in the Korean Conflict, during which times he was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage, where he currently served as chairman of the Endowment Committee. Over the course of his lifetime he has served in nearly every office of the church and was a deacon and elder. In his youth he was a Boy Scout, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout.