Vernon R. Franklin, Sr.
1925-2018
Vernon Rees Franklin, Sr., age 93, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Winchester Medical Center.
Born September 13, 1925 in Hyattsville, Md., he was the son of the late George Harold and Marie Leora Rees Franklin.
He was a member of the Berkeley Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church where he had served as Head Deacon for 25 years.
Vernon was a graduate of Hyattsville High School and retired from the Review & Herald where he worked as a printer.
He served tours of duty with the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard. Vernon was an EMT with the Laurel, Md., rescue squad and served for 20 years, as an EMT and board member with Morgan County Rescue Service.
He was a Red Cross volunteer for 22 years and was deployed to national disasters 37 times.
He built his own house here in Morgan County and was an accomplished cabinetmaker, building exquisite cherry furniture.
Surviving are his wife of 70 years, June Helen Hammersla, at home; his children, Denise Lynne Wachter and her husband Ray of Berkeley Springs, Vernon Rees Franklin, Jr. and his wife Linda of Brandon, Fla.; six grandchildren, Robert Franklin and his wife Peggy and Tammie Calderone, all of Brandon, Fla., Vernon Rees Franklin III and his wife Maria of Chelmsford, Mass., Shelly Cottone and her husband Frank of North Potomac, Md., Jason Long and his wife Beth of Nebraska and Steven Mayberry and his wife Ellen of Port Orange, Fla.; 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Paul Stephen Franklin on January 6, 2017.
Funeral services will be conducted at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Berkeley Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3606 Valley Road, Berkeley Springs, WV with Pastor Jason Disch officiating. Interment will be private.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Red Cross, 8550 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22031. Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
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