Franklin Masters

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Sept. 17, 1935-Nov. 5, 2006

Franklin "Pops" Delano Masters, 71, Mossy Head, Fla., died Sunday at his residence.

Born in Indianapolis, he was the son of Edward and Ethel Long Masters.

He was a resident of Mossy Head after moving from Indiana in 1977. He was a veteran of U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and retired after 20 years of service as a staff sergeant. He also served 12 years overseas with two tours of duty in Vietnam and U.S. Air Force for 10 years inactive reserves.

He worked at C.P. Lesh Paper Company in Indianapolis, was in the sample department, a mail clerk and delivery boy, a prison guard at Plainfield and worked on the Union Pacific Railroad in track maintenance. He also worked at the Greencastle Ford Factory as a spot welder, at VanBibber Lake installing skirting and awnings. He moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., in October 1977 where he owned and operated three auto savage yards, operated a trailer park and owned Frank's Place in Mossy Head.

Surviving are two sons, Hoover Zahel and wife Elaine and Alex Zahel and wife Vanessa, all of Mossy Head; daughter Caroline C. Johnson and husband Roy, Mossy Head; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Hannelore H. Masters, daughter Tonda M. Masters, sisters Mildred J. Masters Crowe, Virginia C. Masters Parris and Charlotte Shoemaker, brothers Allen Junior Masters and Darvin Masters, and grandson.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle.

Burial will follow at Brick Chapel Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Visitation will also be conducted Tuesday at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel, DeFuniak Springs, Fla.