Daniel M. Franklin, 52, of Pana died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. He was born Feb. 13, 1959, the son of Dr. Jacob James & Mary Edith Duck Franklin. 

Dan was a graduate of Pana High School Class of 1977; University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1981; John Marshall Law School, Chicago, with Juris Doctorate Law Degree on June 10, 1984.

He passed the bar exam and was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois November 16, 1984. He was admitted to practice as an attorney in Central District Court on December 9, 1987 and in the Southern District Courts on July 14, 2006. 

He began serving as Shelby County Assistant State's Attorney under Michael J. Kiley in February 1985, and Shelby County Public Defender in 1987.  He went into private practice at Fribley & Proffitt Law Firm in December 1986 and opened and operated his own private practice as The Franklin Law Firm on June 1, 1990, which he continued to the present.

Dan loved being with his children and helped coach their athletics, he played high school basketball and football and continuing playing in the independent basketball leagues after college, as well as played in a Wednesday night local group for several years, he also enjoyed his cabin, the outdoors and hunting.

Dan was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pana; Illinois State Bar Association; Christian County Bar Association; Alpha Chi Rho fraternity; Pana Knights of Columbus; Pana Rotary Club; Ducks Unlimited; and Pana Quarterback Club.

Daniel M. Franklin and Kathie Jay were united in marriage on November 26, 1994 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pana.

He is survived by his wife: Kathie Franklin, Pana, IL; children: Morgan Hannah Franklin, Jacob Porter Franklin, and Sophie Danielle Franklin, all at home; mother and father: Mary Edith and James Temmen, Oconee, IL; brother: James R. Temmen, Oconee, IL; and by his sister: Mary Kay Riggs, Highland, IL.

He was preceded in death by his father Dr. Jacob James Franklin, nephew Garrett Temmen, and by his uncle and aunt Franklin and Hazel Moore.  

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart School, 3 East Fourth St., Pana, IL 62557; Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, Charitable Fund, 210 W. McKinley, Decatur, IL 62526 or donor's choice.


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