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Franklin Arthur Maxwell
Born: 1/7/1924
Died: 4/11/2025
Age: 101
Community: Grand Blanc, MI
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MAXWELL, Franklin Arthur, of Grand Blanc, age 101, died Friday, April 11, 2025, at his residence.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 2, 11:00 AM, at Halsey United Methodist Church, 10006 Halsey Road, Grand Blanc Township, The Rev. Brian West officiating. Luncheon will be served immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Franklin was born in Flint, Michigan on January 7, 1924, the son of the late Henry and Bertha Maxwell, and he was a resident of the Flint area all of his life. He married Edna Louise Crane on October 10, 1942.
Franklin was a 1941 graduate of Flint Central High School and participated in the orchestra and was captain of the football team. He attended Flint Junior College and General Motors Institute.
Like most men of his generation, his life was forever changed with the advent of the Second World War. At his request, in 1942 Franklin was released by the general draft board and was inducted into the Army Air Force. After two years of training, he was awarded his "wings" on August 4, 1944, in a ceremony at Blytheville Army Air Field, Blytheville, Arkansas. He then transferred to Maxwell Army Air Field in Montgomery, Alabama, where, as a second lieutenant, he learned to fly the B-24 Liberator bomber. Years later, Franklin said to his daughters that earning his wings was the most important moment of his life other than marrying their mother.
Franklin was employed by AC Spark Plug, a division of General Motors. He was hired on September 2, 1942, just prior to his induction into the Army Air Force, as a time-keep clerk at 98 cents an hour. Forty-two years later he retired on April 1, 1984, as divisional auditor for four GM plants, working all of his years in the financial area of the company.
From the playground of Doyle Elementary School and throughout his life, participating in athletics was an important part of his life. Mr. Maxwell played varsity football in high school, but his favorite sport was baseball. He played (position catcher) and managed in the Flint Class AA Fastpitch League and officiated high school sports, both boys and girls, for 25 years. His last year in the Fastpitch League his team, Davison Buick, won the city championship 1-0.
Franklin was a member of Grand Blanc Methodist Church for more than 40 years and greatly enjoyed his time with the weekly men's coffee group.
Franklin Maxwell lived for more than 100 years, experiencing personally several of the momentous events of the 20th Century. He learned to drive his father's Essex car at the age of 13 and lived through the Great Depression. His father Henry was an upholster at the Fisher Body #1 plant during the UAW sit-down strike of 1936. National Guard troops were billeted at Whittier Junior High School during the strike and Franklin saw them daily. Maxwell Air Field in Montgomery, Alabama was located near Tuskegee Air Base and he "saw" and "lived" the disparity of services in the armed forces. All of these unique events impacted his life.
In retirement, Franklin and Edna traveled extensively and spent time with their family, the most important people in their lives. The last six years of Franklin's life he was the patriarch of a five-generation family. His was a life well-lived.
Franklin and Edna Maxwell were married for 71 years, and she preceded him in death in 2013. His daughter Louise Marie Maybee and son-in-law William McCraith, Jr. also preceded him in death.
Surviving are his daughters Linda McCraith and Kathryn Calvert (Thomas), son-in-law Douglas Maybee; grandchilden William McCraith IV (Jennifer), Wendy Wright (Rick), Ian Willett, Amber Willett, Leah Calvert, Paul Calvert (Lauren), Zachary Calvert (Michelle); great-grandchildren Laura Benmoha, Corie Mardeusz (Thomas), Robert Ringe (Rachael), Ryan McCraith, Sarah McCraith, Bryan Calvert, Henley Calvert; great-great-grandchildren Peyton Mardeusz, Maxwell Mardeusz and Rory Ringe.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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4/18/2025 |
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| Funeral Service |
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5/2/2025 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Halsey United Methodist Church
10006 Halsey Road
Grand Blanc, MI 48439Get a Map to this location...
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