Willowdean "Dee" Franklin, 83, was promoted to Glory on Monday, June 19, 2017. She was born January 9, 1934, in LaGrange, IN to the late Ova E. and Esther (Harding) Combs. Dee was a piano teacher who loved bringing the best out of her students. She attended Sherman Street Church of God and Woodview Church of God, where she played the organ. She last served at The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center, playing the piano in worship for the beneficiaries and their families.

Dee, loved dogs and always had one to cherish. Her home was filled with "pretties" that brought her joy. In recent years, she helped keep the publishers of adult coloring books in business as she colored several pictures every day. She had a beautiful soprano voice and often joined in with her high tenor harmony. She loved to collect recipes and cook and bake, often supplying friends and neighbors with cookies. We will always remember the fun she would bring to the party, the hours and hours of games around the kitchen table and the houseplants that she lovingly cared for.

Willowdean is survived by her husband of 64 years, Clarence Franklin, her son, Douglas (Michelle) Franklin and daughters, Jackie (Dana) Brady and Rhonda Franklin. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, Emily (Mike) Van De Voorde, Justin (Beth) Brady, Eric Franklin, Ellen (Dan) Vance, Kati (Travis Nichols) and Kyle Brady. She has 13 great-grandchildren, Ruthie and Allison Van De Voorde, Mason, Ethan and Lola Brady, Isaac and Sophia Franklin, Xavier and Ayden Moore and Lincoln Vance, Morgan and Carter Nichols and Lily Craig.

A memorial service to honor her life will be held at 10:30 a.m., June 23, 2017 at Westview Alliance Church, 9804 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne, IN. Memorials are to The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center.