Franklin Marsh

Franklin “Frankie” D. Marsh, age 92, of Miller, Missouri, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026, at Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. He was born on July 21, 1933, on his parents’ farm near Pennsboro, Missouri, to Beattie and Nannie (Friar) Marsh. 

Frankie attended grade school in Pennsboro, Missouri, and graduated from Miller High School. 

In 1950, Frankie joined the navy at the age of seventeen and attended basic training at the Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, located on the western shore of Lake Michigan. From there, he proudly served his country during the Korean War, spending 18 months on the island of Guam. 

After Frankie returned to the United States, he and Arlene Collins were united in marriage on July 7, 1953, and celebrated just shy of 73 years together. This young couple began their married life in San Diego, California, where Frankie was stationed at the naval base. From their home, they could see the giraffes at the San Diego Zoo. 

Upon completion of Frankie’s active military service, the young couple moved back to Missouri, where he served four years in the Navy Reserves. 

In 1955, Frankie joined the Springfield, Missouri Police Department, as a motorcycle officer. A few years later, Frankie and Arlene moved back to their hometown of Miller, Missouri, where they raised their three children. Their parents thought they were crazy when they bought 40 acres in 1959, just outside of the city limits, for $100 per acre. 

Frankie and Arlene built their yellow house on this small farm and through the years, raised cattle, chickens, hogs, and horses. 

Frankie was a member of Miller’s American Legion and spent many years working at the Legion’s famous fish stand. Frankie always took great pride in being a hard worker and held many jobs throughout his lifetime, including working as a truck driver, school bus driver, and owner of M&M Propane. In 1996, he retired from his job as the bus barn supervisor for Miller R-ll School District. 

Frankie was baptized in his early 20’s and was a member of Round Grove Baptist Church. 

Frankie is survived by his wife, Arlene; his children: Elaine McElroy and her husband, David; Brent Marsh and his wife, Sharon; and Elisa Hawkins and her husband, Mike; seven grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends, who will all miss him dearly. 

Frankie was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Francis Coe, Billy, Jerry, and BJ and one grandson, Cody Hawkins. 

A visitation was held from 1 -2  p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home in Miller, Missouri, with a funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial followed at Sycamore Cemetery northeast of Miller.

The family has requested memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.