Eli Allen Franck, 86, of Bayard, New Mexico, formerly of Wayland, died Aug. 3.
Born in Moreland, Idaho, he was the third of 14 children. He attended schools in Idaho and graduated from El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, Calif., in 1957.
Eli married Patricia Williams on Jan. 25, 1959. They had four children and later divorced. He married Jeannie Brown on Feb. 22, 1973, and added to the family with three more children.
Eli was a mechanic and welder, working on various farms in Idaho as a young man, and eventually owning his own welding business, Wayland Sheet Metal. He closed “The Shop” after 20 years, and then went to work for Ron’s Towing, followed by many local dealerships, doing dealer trades and delivering vehicles.
He and Jeannie were avid bowlers, enjoying their date nights once a week at Airport Lanes and were member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hastings. They were married for over 37 years. After she passed in 2010, he moved to New Mexico.
Eli had an endless thirst for knowledge, always learning and teaching. The Old West was a particular favorite of his – and if he wasn’t informing you about Custer’s Last stand and the Battle of Little Bighorn, it was Billy the Kid and his antics throughout New Mexico.
He is survived by his seven children: Bradley, Michael, Douglas, Kathy, Lisa, Jason, and Julie; 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; eight brothers; and two sisters.
Graveside services will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Oct. 20, at Leighton Township Cemetery, 3947 Kalamazoo Drive, Wayland.
