November 5, 1948 – June 22, 2025
Dewey Jefferson Franklin, 76, passed away peacefully at home in Henryville, Indiana.
He is preceded in death by his parents, M. Dale Franklin and Ruth E. (Prater) Franklin, and a brother, Joel D. Franklin, and sisters, Julia E. Cate and Jane McGill, as well as his granddaughter, Evelyn.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gail. He has five children: Stephen N. Franklin (Genevieve), Michael T.D. Franklin (Jackie), Charles J. Ball, Kathryn L. Miller (Keith), and Jillian B. Gettelfinger (Michael). Jeff and Gail had eight grandchildren: Cash and Kent (Jillian), Emmy, Myles, and Hensley (Kathryn), and Ila and Cole (Michael). These children were a great joy and comfort.
Additionally, Jeff had a multitude of nieces and nephews who meant the world to him.
He graduated from Bedford High School (1966). In 1976, he completed his B.S. Degree in Education from Indiana State University and received a master’s degree in counseling and Counselor Education from Indiana University in 1979. He was a certified rehabilitation counselor and a licensed mental health counselor for many years. He helped individuals with disabilities identify, train for, and secure meaningful employment.
Jeff was a Navy Veteran serving from 1969 through 1973. He served aboard the USS Worden DLG-18, providing navigation duties as a Quartermaster. It was during this time that he was wounded and received a Combat Action Ribbon and a Purple Heart medal. Upon returning home, he completed his degree at Indiana State University in 1976. Jeff then accepted an opportunity to immigrate to Australia, where the State of Victoria employed him as an elementary education teacher. He taught at Cowes Primary School on Phillip Island and East Kew Primary School (Melbourne). After two years teaching in Australia, he returned to Bloomington, IN, where he completed his M.S. degree.
He was employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the Indianapolis Regional Office from 1979 to 2003. He later accepted an assignment at the VA central office, where he worked on the quality assurance team. He retired in May 2005.
In later years, he split his residences between Florida and Indiana.
He was a member of St. Raphael’s Episcopal church in Florida and St. Paul’s Episcopal church in Indiana. The church was a vital part of his life. His grandmother’s prayers were answered. When he was dropping his children and grandchildren off at school, he would always say, “work hard, play fair, and always best behavior”. Rest in Peace.
A celebration of life will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on July 6th, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in New Albany, IN. A memorial service will be held the next day, July 7th, at 11 a.m. in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary, burial to follow at Hilltop Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jeff’s memory to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church in Fort Myers, FL.
