Donald Leo Franze

Donald Leo Franze, 86, of Randolph, Ohio, went to be with the Lord peacefully on October 9, 2018 with his family by his side. Don was born October 14, 1931 in Akron, Ohio, to Pasquale and Rose Franze. Don was an active member at St. Joseph Parish in Suffield, Ohio, and put great effort into helping the church in any way possible. Don and his late wife June were the driving forces in getting Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (located at St. Joseph’s) restored to its original beauty. Don was also a member of the Catholic War Veterans at St. Joseph’s and helped mount a rock from the original Lourdes Grotto in Lourdes, France to the side of the grotto at Saint Joseph’s. Don started his work career at San Hygiene then moved to Goodyear in Akron, Ohio. He then founded Randolph Tool Company in 1968 at his home in Randolph as a place for his children to learn a trade and make money in the process. Randolph Tool Company is now located in Hartville, Ohio, and has customers worldwide. Don was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He took multiple families under his roof as well as anyone needing a place to stay. He always had an outstretched hand to anyone in need and used his talents and treasures to help others. Don loved all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren tremendously. They knew that everyone was always welcome in his house, no matter who they were and he always made them feel at home. No one will ever forget the family tradition of Sunday lunch at 1 o’clock; eggplant lasagna, spaghetti, you could always tell by the smell when you walked through the door. You weren’t hungry? Well, Grandpa was going to persuade you to eat anyway with his Italian heritage. Don was preceded in death by his son, Richard Franze and his loving wife of 63 years, June Adalee Franze. He is survived by his daughter, Norma Lott; sons and their spouses, Harold (Amy) Franze, Michael (Tracey) Franze, Phillip (Candy) Franze, Patrick (Lisa) Franze; grandchildren, Renee Lott-Ando (Dontty Ando), Kelley Lott, Nathan Franze, Jenna Franze, Halee Franze, Nicholas Franze, Anthony Franze, Phillip (Ryle) Franze, Michael Franze, Scott Franze and Felicia (James) Davies; and great-grandchildren, Niko Ando and Everett Franze. After Don and June’s children were grown, they enjoyed trips to the casino together as well as Autumn drives to look at the fall foliage. Their children and grandchildren cannot think of a time they were not enjoying life together and will in turn be enjoying their life with the Lord together. Don will be greatly missed, but he has fulfilled his duty as a servant of the Lord here on Earth and will now be watching over us all in Heaven with his beloved wife and son by his side. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Joseph’s Elementary School. A mass and burial will be held at Saint Joseph’s Church in Randolph/Suffield on, Friday, October 12, 2018 at 11 a.m., with friends and family being received at the church at 10 a.m. prior to the church service. Burial to immediately follow at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery. (Hopkins Lawver, Akron, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com