Delmar Franklin

Delmar B. (“Fatty”) Franklin, of Preston, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 with family by his side.

Born January 20, 1931, in East Pharsalia, Delmar was the son of Matthew and Theabelle (King) Franklin. He was one of eight children, four of whom survive. On May 1, 1954, he married Velma Knapp. After his divorce in 1964, Delmar spent nearly forty years with his companion Ellen Dungey, until she passed in 2003.

For all of his working life, Delmar worked hard as a farmer, either at Dunkel’s Farms, in Preston, or on his own farm.

Delmar is survived by his son Steve and his wife, Colleen, of Oxford, Randy and his wife, Vicky, and Tina Favorito and her husband, Robert. He is also survived by Ellen’s children, Donna and Doug Youngs, of Preston, Donald and Gale Dungey, of Wells Bridge, David and Frances Dungey, of Oxford, Sabra Snow, of Preston, and Doug and Peggy Dungey, also of Preston. Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren of both Delmar’s and Ellen’s also survive, including one “very special grandson,” Douglas Dungey, Jr. Also surviving are siblings Winifred Smith, Allen Franklin and his wife, Julia, Arden Franklin and his wife, Mary, and Gloria Davis and her husband, Doug. He was also predeceased by siblings Dwight and sister-in-law Florence, Lawrence, Eleanor and Merton.

A graveside service for Delmar will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2015, at J.D. Lewis Cemetery, where Rev. Matt Frayer, pastor, Bible Baptist Church of Norwich, will officiate. Burial will follow, where Ellen will interred along with Delmar.