Jeff Franklin

November 5, 1948 – June 22, 2025

Henryville – 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 8 grandchildren; Cash and Kent (Jillian), Emmy, Myles, and Hensley (Kathryn), and Ila and Cole (Michael), these children were of great joy and comfort. Additionally, Jeff had a multitude of nieces and nephews that 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, and enter 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.

When he returned home, he completed his degree at Indiana State University in 1976. Jeff then accepted an opportunity to immigrate to Australia, where he was employed by the State of Victoria as an elementary education teacher. He taught at Cowes Primary School on Phillip Island, 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 Vocation 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 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. Church was a very important part of his life. His grandmother’s prayers were answered.

When he was dropping his children and grandchildren off to school, he would always say “work hard, play fair, and always best behavior”. Rest in Peace.

A celebration of life will be held from 4pm – 7pm 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 am in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary, burial to follow at Hilltop cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 am until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church in Ft. Myers, FL.