Franz

Henry Benedict Franz, 91, of Slippery Rock, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, June 5, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. He was active until the day he left us, and being 91 didn’t slow him down much.

He was born March 21, 1931, in Beechview, Pa., to Henry J. and Genevieve (Lavelle) Franz. He was preceded in death by his immediate family, which included Geneva Stumpf, Richard Franz and his parents.

Anyone who knew him knows that he loved to tell a (sometimes long-winded) story or crack a joke. He never knew a stranger. They were just someone that he hadn’t met yet. He also enjoyed wintering in Florida, staying in touch with friends on Facebook and texting with family.

He was a Korean War veteran and very proud of his submarine service, mainly stationed aboard the USS Sea Leopard (SS-483) where he was an RM3.

He loved singing and had a very good voice. As a younger man, he sang in musicals with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.

He was a Duquesne University graduate and also worked there as their director of purchasing. Before that, he was a purchasing agent at Slippery Rock University.

Traveling the U.S. and Canada was also one of his joys. He also enjoyed watching and rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Slippery Rock.

Henry is survived by his four children, Mark Franz of Stephens City, Va.; Kathy (Jeff) Allen of Linden, Va.; Maureen Seymour of Tumwater, Wash.; and Olivia (Cyd) Franz of Slippery Rock.

He is also survived by five grandchildren, Alexandra (Matt) Pack, Shawn Walsh, Nolan Walsh, Bruce Franz and Jack Franz; his great-grandson, Ford Henry Pack; and he was the uncle to many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Agnes Healey Franz, to whom he was married for 55 years.

FRANZ — A viewing for Henry Benedict Franz, who died Sunday, June 5, 2022, will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.

Henry’s life will be celebrated at a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter Catholic Church, 670 S. Main St., Slippery Rock.

Following the funeral, he will be interred at Holy Souls Cemetery in Carnegie, Pa.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.