Franklin M. Hartzell, 88, a lifelong resident and prominent Carthage attorney, died Tuesday evening in his home.

He was born on Aug. 24, 1923, in Carthage, a son of Franklin M. Sr. and Mary Ferris Hartzell. On May 18, 1946, he was married to Eleanore Gaebe at her family's farm in Addieville. Ellie preceded him in death on Aug. 12, 2006.

Franklin lived his entire life in Carthage, attending Carthage schools, graduating from Carthage High School and then obtaining his undergraduate in 1948 and LLB degree in 1950 from the University of Illinois. Franklin served his country during World War II and was later recalled to serve in the Korean Conflict, during which times he was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage, where he currently served as chairman of the Endowment Committee. Over the course of his lifetime he has served in nearly every office of the church and was a deacon and elder. In his youth he was a Boy Scout, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout.

After graduation from law school, Franklin returned to Carthage, where he began his practice of law with Homer Williams. At the time of his death, he was the most senior partner in the firm of Hartzell, Tucker and Hartzell. He was admitted to the Bar in 1950, U.S. Tax Court in 1956, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh District in 1986 and the United States of America District Court in 1959. His professional associations included: the Hancock County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association and the American Academy of Healthcare Attorneys. He was a member of the Trust and Estate Section Council from 1986-1990, 1997-2006 and 2008-2012, and was just reappointed this year. He was also Phi Delta Phi, had credits as an author ("Ancillary Administration in Illinois" Illinois Estate Administration), and was a part of the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education in 1989, 1993 and 1997. Franklin was Carthage city attorney from 1955-1969; President, Board of Visitors, College of Law, University of Illinois, 1981-1982; and fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. His reported cases include Kennedy v. Commissioner, (1986, C.A.7)

In addition to many other organizations, past and present, Franklin was a member of: Memorial Hospital Association (life member); the Hancock County Nursing Home Association (life member); Philip Hartzell Post 74 American Legion; Hancock Lodge No. 20 A.F. & A.M. (life member); the Quincy Consistory; Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity; Gunflint Trail Historical Society; Ducks Unlimited; and Hancock County Post 5119 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and he served as the Memorial Hospital board attorney for over 50 years.

He was a former member and chairman of the Board of Directors for the Marine Trust Company, and former member and board chairman of Colchester Savings and Loan, later First Federal Bank.

He is survived by one son, Thomas F. (Pam) Hartzell of Carthage; one daughter, Phoebe (Ross) Wear of Carthage; five grandchildren, Carrie Wear of West Liberty, Iowa, Abbie (Dan) O’Hern of Vermont, Caitlin Wear of Carthage, and Leah and Kyle Hartzell of Carthage; and one great-granddaughter, Ellie Evans of West Liberty, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eleanore "Ellie"; a daughter, Susan Hartzell; a brother, Phillip Hartzell; and a sister, Miriam Hartzell.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that friends make donations in memory of Franklin M. Hartzell to: Carthage Memorial Hospital Endowment Fund, First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, or Gunflint Trail Historical Society of Minnesota. The Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.