Franklin Sowers

Urbana - Franklin L. Sowers, 94, of Urbana passed away Friday (March 6, 2026) at 2:45 p.m. at home with his loving and faithful wife by his side.He was born Dec. 20, 1931, in Rose Hill, the son of John O. and Helen V. (Crockett) Sowers. He married Clara Mae Foust on Sept. 24, 1950, in Greenup.He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Clara Mae; sisters, Linda L. Carter (the late Sam) and Barbara S. Reynolds (Jim); brother Johnny Dale (the late Terri); granddaughter Tammy L. Sowers; great-grandson, Justin D. Sowers (Jessica); and great-great-grandchildren, Myah, Justin Jr., Clara and Drake.He was preceded in death by his parents; brother James O. Sowers; sons, Franklin D. Sowers and Robert L. Sowers; granddaughter Tracy L. Sowers; and many good friends.Franklin was a locksmith supervisor at the University of Illinois for 36 years. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Urbana.Frank enjoyed gardening and working in his yard. Special interests in his younger years were making maple syrup, bowling, fishing, camping, traveling all over the United States with his wife, Clara, in their fifth-wheel and wintering in Florida. Memorable trips were to Hawaii, Puerto Rico on a mission trip and to New York City during the 2003 blackout.Funeral services will be on Thursday, March 12, at 11 a.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at 10 a.m. Pastor Gary Gritton will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana.Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 2106 E. Windsor Road, Urbana, IL 61802. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.