SPRINGFIELD, IL – Wilburn E. Franklin, Jr., 92, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, at his home.

He was born May 19, 1929, to Wilburn and Cora (Wilson) Franklin, Sr. He married Verna Barnett on April 30, 1966, in Junction, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Monica; and siblings, Murray, John, Raymond, Ila, Inez, Vernice, Millie, Dorothy and Roberta.

Wilburn was a US Army veteran serving in the Korean War. He was a millwright for Pillsbury Mills for 44 years, retiring in 1993.

He is survived by his wife, Verna; son, Matthew (Monica) Franklin; daughter, Melanie (Michael) Lawson; grandchildren, Cora and Layla Franklin and Shepherd and Emery Lawson; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home with Bishop Jon Hansen presiding. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.