Edward (Ed) Franz, 98 years old, of Ft. Myers, Florida entered into the presence of the Lord on Wednesday, August 5th at Hope Hospice House.

Edward was born on June 18, 1922 in Manhattan, Kansas. He was one of four children born to John and Irene Franz.

Ed met his wife Eleanor while they were both attending West Virginia University and they were married on March 2, 1944. He served in the Army during World War II and was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia from 1944 until 1945, at which time he returned to WVU to complete his studies and graduate in 1946.

Edward worked in sales his whole life and loved playing tennis in his spare time, which he enjoyed until the age of ninety-two. He also loved working in the yard and enjoyed sampling the many good restaurants that Ft. Myers has to offer.

He is survived by his wife of seventy-six years, Eleanor, his son Roger Franz and his wife Janice of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; his daughter Cathy Orient and her husband Jeffrey of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and five grandchildren: Elliot Franz and his wife Tara of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Oliver Franz and his wife Abigail of Chicago, Illinois; Lisa Orient Matthews and her husband Ryan of Knoxville, Tennessee; Katlyn Orient East and her husband Drew of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Jeremy Orient, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a great-granddaughter, Henley Cathlene Matthews (Knoxville), with more great-grandchildren on their way in 2020! Ed is preceded in death by his son, Stephen Edward who went to be with the Lord in January 1954 at the age of five.

His life was long and full of love; love for his wife, his children, his great-grand child and most important – for his Lord, Jesus Christ.

Burial of the ashes will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, West Virginia, at a future date to be determined.