Franklin L. Raymond

Franklin (Porky) L. Raymond, 92, of Wakefield, MI, passed away peacefully at home in Athens, WI, early Sunday morning, June 23, 2024, with his family by his side after a 1-month battle with lung cancer.

He was born February 2, 1932, in Merriweather, Michigan, the son of the late Franklin Oliver Raymond and Vera (Cook) Raymond.  On May 11, 1954, he married Ruth A. Minier in Michigan.  She preceded him in death in 2005.

Porky worked at a variety of jobs throughout his lifetime including diamond driller in Washington State, logger and trucker (at one time owning his own company), mechanic, miner (White Pine Copper Mine) and carpenter.

His hobbies include playing horseshoes, fishing, hunting, making fishing lures (the “black plug” for walleye fishing & tying flies to fly fish for trout), gardening, making dandelion wine and woodworking (he could make anything you wanted from just a rough sketch). He loved telling jokes and had what seemed like an unlimited number of stories about fishing and hunting. If there was music playing (especially what he would call “good music”), you could find Porky out on the dance floor dancing up a storm!

Franklin proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.  He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Campaign Stars – the Army Occupation Medal (Japan) with 2 Overseas Bars – and a Unit Citation. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Geroux Post 11 in Wakefield, MI, and he was proud to serve with their Honor Guard.  He was so excited when he was accepted to go on the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight Mission XI, September 21st, 2016, to Washington, D.C. to visit the Memorials that stand in honor of the veterans.

Survivors include his children, Ruthie Bird and Jeff (Kathy) Raymond; daughter-in-law, Cindy Raymond; 7 grandchildren: Angie, Frankie (Apryll), Tommy, Dean (BrynAnn), Bobbi Jo, J.J. and Jesse Ann; 17 great-grandchildren [A special acknowledgement to Summer (Ben) Poncek with whom he lived]; and 6 great-great-grandchildren [He especially loved spending time with Lillyanna, Jensen & Rosalee].  Also surviving are his siblings, Sally (Mike) Cooney, Gerald Raymond, Gary (Joan) Raymond and Peewee Kariainen. He is further survived by numerous sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sons, Joey, Franklin Jr. and an infant son, Thomas and his siblings, Verabelle (Walt) Johnson, Geraldine (Floyd) Sorenson, Delores/Tookie (Bill) Zwick, Dorothy (Ralph) Hemming and Chet Raymond.

Per my dad’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.  We will have a celebration of life party/pig roast in his honor on Saturday, July 27th, 2024, starting between 1-2 p.m. - anyone that knew Porky is welcome to attend.  Thank you to Porky’s nephew, Dennis (Theresa) Baldwin for hosting this at their home in Ironwood, MI (corner of Lake Rd & Beagle Club Rd.) and, just for being there with him!

We would like to extend a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice for the care they gave our dad/grandpa during the past month!

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, WI, assisted the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com