- Date Of Birth: July 8, 1918
- Date Of Death: July 6, 2011
- State: Michigan
Ruth Josephine (Finch) Franklin, age 92 of Midland, died Wednesday morning July 6, 2011 at King’s Daughters Home.
The daughter of the late Worden and Addie Finch, and granddaughter of Midland pioneers the late Walter and Josephine Judge was born in Edenville July 8, 1918. Ruth was always proud of the fact that Walter Judge’s line was traced back to the Mayflower. Her father died when she was 16 and she worked at housework to put herself through high school and County Normal.
She began teaching in a one room rural school in Ingersoll Township where she met and married Lloyd Sly Franklin on June 2, 1940 their marriage lasted 57 years. Ruth stayed home to raise her two daughters for 16 years then began taking college courses at CMU where she earned a degree in 1965. Ruth had a busy, productive, and happy life as wife mother, teacher, poet and community leader. She was active in many organizations including Poseyville Methodist Church, PTA, Home Economics, County Council, 4-H, Red Hat’s, and others.
She was instrumental in starting the Poseyville church choir, and Bishop Home Economics Club. Ruth enjoyed writing poetry, and published a number of books that she enjoyed selling at the county fair and craft shows. She also had many poems published in the Senior Times. Ruth’s other interests included traveling, camping, gardening, reading, collecting dolls, and rock hunting. In her senior years, Ruth enjoyed going with her church group to visit local nursing homes. She especially enjoyed doing things with her family.
She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Frank) Miller of West Olive, Michigan, Marge (Marty) Merz of Midland; grandchildren, Herman Miller of Apex North Carolina, Wendi (John) Dunn of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Todd (Jessica) Merz of Southfield, Michigan; great grandchildren, Steven Dunn, Hannah Merz, Elisa Merz; Sister-in-law, Lois Baker, and many nieces and nephews. Ruth was predeceased by her husband Lloyd, her brothers and sisters, Marion (Rolie) Hull, Brewer Davis, Mildred (Charles) Smith, Walter Finch, Gordon (Mary) Finch, Madeline (Edwin) Smith, Lorella (Leslie) McWethy and her in-laws Herman Clare (Shirley) Franklin, Robert Baker, Fyllis Franklin, Inez Franklin, and her infant son.
