Franklin Estes, Jr

Franklin Leroy Estes, Jr., 91, adored husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully in his home in Columbus, Ohio on January 31, 2017. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee on June 2, 1925 to Franklin L. Estes, Sr. and Lula Horton Estes. A member of the “Greatest Generation,” Frank joined the U.S. Army in June,1943, was assigned to the 806th Aviation Engineering Battalion and served in Saipan and Okinawa until the end of WWII. He was honored for his service when he participated in the Honor Flight program in 2007. Frank met and married Betty Jo Arnold in Nashville in 1946. They happily celebrated their 70th anniversary this past December 18, 2016. Frank attended Vanderbilt University, was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He and Betty had two daughters, Debbie and Susan. He went to work for DuPont in Nashville in 1956 and the family moved to Circleville in 1964. Frank was active in the Circleville Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon, an Elder and as Chairman of the Pastor Nominating Committee. He also served his community as the Chairman of the 1978 United Way Community Fund. He was an avid golfer and skier, having taken up both sports at the age of 40. He played in the men’s golf league at Pickaway Country Club for over 40 years and always looked forward to his annual “boys” golf trip to Myrtle Beach. After 30 years, Frank retired from DuPont and then became a sub-contractor for the company, and spent the next 11 years passionately teaching DuPont’s premier safety practices to other companies around the world. Frank is preceded in death by his wife, Betty, only by 11 days; his parents; his brother, Taylor (Ruby) Morton. Survivors include his loving daughters, Debbie (Greg) Dunkle and Susan (Steve) Eskin; his adored grandson Jason (Melissa Rager) Dunkle; and his adored niece June Morton. A memorial service honoring Frank and Betty will be held February 18th at 2:00 p.m. at Circleville Presbyterian Church, 134 E. Mound Street, Circleville, Ohio, 43113. Memorial contributions can be made in Frank’s name to the Circleville Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 147, Circleville, OH 43113-0147, www.circlevillepresbyterianchurch.com.Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.