Franklin D. HallFranklin D. Hall, of Warsaw, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 2, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Frank was born outside of Prestonsburg, Ky., according to his mother and older sister, on Dec. 6, 1940. However, according to the U.S. government, he was born on Nov. 28, 1940, to the late preacher Will and Pearlie Prater Hall. He was the fifth of eight children. He spent his formative years in the Prestonsburg and Bull Creek areas of eastern Kentucky, until the age of 15 when he “hitched a ride” to Kosciusko County in a pickup truck, riding with a family of four in the cab and a Jersey cow in the back of the truck. He first worked for Fred O. Carey Construction and started working on the Robert Merkle chicken farm as a farm hand at the age of 16. He was a hard worker and was recognized for his excellent work ethic. Ultimately, he would run the entire farm operation for the Merkle’s, raising thousands of chickens and other animals and farming 80 acres. On Oct. 29, 1958, Frank married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Meade. They would share more than 64 years together before his passing.
Frank was a fix-it man! He could fix just about anything. He was very smart, and even skipped the eighth grade and went straight to high school from seventh grade. He was quite the “trader” and everything he touched seemed to be golden. He had a strong business sense. While working on the farm, Frank and Robert “Bob” Merkle built the tables and chairs for the very first kindergarten class at Claypool. He and Bob also designed, built and patented an automated chicken feeder system for large chicken houses. They also did many woodworking projects together from building all wooden clock works to building blocks for children. When asked “how he knew to do so many things,” Frank would say that “no one told him he couldn’t!”
Frank worked the farm until around 1970 when he left the farm to go to work for Warsaw Community Schools as a bus driver and maintenance man. On Jan. 3, 1973, Frank and Mary opened Hall’s Triangle Service Station in Warsaw. He owned and operated the full-service station from 1973 to 1983. After selling the station, Frank went to work for Terry’s Automotive in Warsaw as a mechanic. He work there for several years before buying back the Triangle Service Station and working a tree trimming business with two of his brothers.
Frank would ultimately go to work for Warsaw Engineering and Fabricating (WEFAB), where he worked steel construction as a working supervisor for 20 years. He retired from WEFAB in 2002. Ever the storyteller, Frank loved to share his life story of growing up poor and being successful in life. He was an avid horse lover and owned several prize-winning Quarter Horse racehorses – his favorite being Domino. He loved to share stories of being at the racetrack as an “unknown” and his horses blowing away the competition.
Frank attended Harvest Community Church in Pierceton and was one of the church’s biggest promoters. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He had a special nickname for every grandchild.
Frank will be missed and remembered by his loving wife, Mary Hall, of Warsaw; one son, Glenn (Teressa) Hall, Pierceton; daughters, Rita (Wayne) Adams, of Warsaw; and Vickie (Scott) Ulrey, of Claypool; and one daughter-in-law, Christine Hall, of Silver Lake. Also surviving are one sister, Naoma Wagner, of Pierceton, and a host of nephews and nieces. He also leaves a legacy of 10 grandchildren: Michael, Matthew, Adam, Isaac, Phillip, Thomas, Rachel, Ricky, Amanda and Frankie; and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, four brothers and one son, Rick Hall, of Silver Lake.
Titus Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. A visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7 at Harvest Community Church, 512 S. Seventh St., Pierceton. A Life Celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 8 at 11 a.m., also at Harvest Community Church. Burial will take place in Graceland Cemetery, Claypool.
Memorial donations may be made to Harvest Community Church.
