Alvin Clarence Franz

Funeral Service for Alvin C. Franz will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Jared Tucher officiating with full military honors provided by the American Legion Post 42 Honor Guard. Burial will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4p.m. to 7p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Walker Funeral Home. Alvin Clarence Franz age 77, passed away at his home on July 3, 2015. Alvin was born December 30, 1937 in rural Logan County, Napoleon, ND. Alvin was the son of Albert and Johanna (Lang) Franz. Alvin received his elementary education in Logan County. Alvin noticed Sharlene Junker when she was five years old, on the day she was baptized at the same church where his family also attended. The years went by and in 1961 Alvin asked Sharlene out for a date at the Dawson Dance Hall. Alvin and Sharlene exchanged vows on October 25th 1963 at the Dawson American Lutheran Church in Dawson, ND. At an early age Alvin would work on his Aunt and Uncle's farm in Napoleon during school holidays and summer months. He continued working on the farm until 1957. Alvin was a hard worker. He learned how to operate all of the farm equipment. He also helped clear the fields of many rocks. Farming was a time of being alone, just him the land and his thoughts. Alvin joined the Army in 1957. He was trained in Heavy Weapons Infantry. After his discharge from the army, he tried a new venture working on the oil rigs. Alvin and Sharlene's first home was at Kenmare, ND. They lived at Dawson, ND for a short time where their oldest son was born. In March of 1965 they moved to Hardin, Montana where he worked for Sharlene's cousins, the Enzminger Brothers. Working the land planting sugar beets and irrigating. In September of 1969 the family moved to Gillette, WY. Alvin worked on the oil rigs again until the winter of 1987. Alvin wasn't able to work, so he decided to work towards earning his GED High School Certificate. In March of 1988 he received his certificate. In August of 1988 Alvin started driving van for various van companies, the latest being Professional Transportation Inc., transporting the train crews to different parts of Wyoming and South Dakota. In June of 2014, due to terminal illness Alvin was forced to retire. He was very devoted to his job and enjoyed transporting the crews. He would always say it was a hobby not a job. Alvin was a humble person. He had very few hobbies, but his love was taking the boys fishing when they were young and watching the Pink Panther on TV every chance he got. After his illness he enjoyed going along with Sharlene to the stores where he would push the shopping cart for her.Alvin is survived by his wife of 51 years Sharlene Franz; his sons, Bryan (Maria) Franz and John Franz of Gillette, WY; granddaughter, Maya Franz and Grandson Kelsey Franz of Gillette, WY; sisters, Viola Brunner of Napoleon, ND; Darlene Franz of Tacoma, WA; Judy (Jim) Toomey of Snohomish, WA; brothers, Arthur Franz of San Antonio, TX; Donald (Pat) Franz of Buckley, WA; Jim (Lisa) Franz of Seattle, WA.Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, Brother Harold Franz, Infant Daughter Lisa Franz, Brother-in-law Harry Brunner, and Sister-in-law Toshika Franz and most of his Aunts and Uncles. A memorial has been established in Alvin's name. Memorials and Condolences may be sent to the family in his name in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the web at www.walkerfuneralgillette.comFuneral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716