Ernest Marshall Franson, 88, of 315 Cline Meadow Road, Covington, VA, died Sunday, December 21, 2014, at his residence.
He was born November 17, 1926, in Bath County, VA, a son of the late John Augot Franson and Nellie Blankenship Franson.
He served in the United States Air Force and had been in the asphalt paving business since 1948 as owner of Pave & Save Company. He was also vice president of Alleghany Asphalt & Construction. Mr. Franson was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Vickie Leigh Worley; and a son, Robert Dale Franson.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Bryant Franson of Covington; a son, John Sidney Franson of Covington; six daughters, Sharon “Sherry” Higgins and husband, Glenn, of Clifton Forge, VA, Christy Ioannidis and fiance, Bernie Waid, of Covington, Karen Lodge and husband, Gary, of Covington, Donna Griffith and husband, Jim, of Reno, NV, Tammy Slay and husband, Randy, of Covington, and Linda Marquardt and husband, J.W., of Clifton Forge; a brother, Bill Franson and wife, Cecille, of Staunton, VA; 11 grandchildren, Alex Franson, Chloe Franson, Glen Higgins, Greg Shortridge, Renee Shortridge, Allen Lodge, Katreena Lodge-Burger, Mike Cash, Chanelle Gonzalez, Belinda Dawn Christian, and Lanty Aaron Clemons; a number of great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; a former daughter-in-law, Sammie Brookman; a former son-in-law, William “Bo” Gann; and a special caregiver, Beth Richmond.
A Graveside funeral service was conducted at Woodland Cemetery in Millboro, VA, on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at 2 PM in Woodland Church Cemetery, Bath County, with the Rev. Howard Merrell officiating.
There was no formal visitation.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alleghany Humane Society, P.O. Box 60 Low Moor, VA 24457.
To send online condolences to the family, visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.
Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the Wednesday, December 24, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
