Obituary for Dennis E. "Big Den" Franklin
Dennis E. “Big Den” Franklin, 58, of Clinton, Findlay Township, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, in Heritage Valley – Sewickley.
Dennis was born on February 18, 1964, in Brewton, Alabama, a son of the late, William and Barbara (Bradley) Franklin.
Mr. Franklin was a true business man. He enjoyed the thrills that owning a business brought, and loved tackling all the adventures that came with being a business owner with his business partner, his wife. Dennis was the owner of Steel Town Mobility, which he and his wife, Desiree, started in 2019. Previously, Dennis was the owner of Oasis Senior Advisory. Before that, Dennis worked at US Steel for 15 years, which is what brought him and his wife to Pennsylvania. His career was outstanding and he always worked so hard to provide for his family and his children. Dennis would rather be tired from a long day of work, than for his family to not have what they needed in life.
The outstanding man that Dennis was he passed right along to his children, while he and his wife raised them. His love for sports, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed right along in the blood line. The avid fan that Dennis was, he made sure that his whole family knew the importance of watching the Steelers game and rooting for them even during their losing streaks.
Mr. Franklin was the patriarchy of his family and there was nothing he loved more than his wife, kids, and grandkids, not even the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dennis was there for every moment in his children’s life, every baseball game, school dance, graduations, wedding, and even the birth of his grandbabies. Dennis could not be separated from his family. His family was his constant in life and he was theirs. There is no replacing the love that Dennis gave to his wife and kids. It was unconditional, powerful and could face any obstacle. It did not stop there, it transcended beyond unmeasure, to a host of extended family and an undeniable closeness with his cousin, “Tabo”. For that reason, death does not end his relationship with his family, it is only an “I’ll miss you and I’ll see you again.”
Surviving are his loving wife and best friend, Desiree (Whitfield) Franklin, children; Desanbra (Jovan) Olafioye, Dennie “DJ” Franklin, II and Dezmond Franklin, grandchildren; Dezyrah, Jovan “JoJo”, Jr., and Jozyah Olafioye, siblings, William (Phyllis) Franklin, Jr., Cynthia (Charles) Williams and Kerrick (Nicosia) Franklin, parents-in-law, Robert and Sandra Whitfield, Sr, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Along with his parents, Dennis is preceded in death by his son, De’Adrian Franklin.
Friends and family will be received on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. at Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc. and Crematory, 305 Main St., Imperial (724-695-2800). A Homegoing Service will be held on Monday, January 2, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Community Temple Church of God, 338 Harker Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44903. Interment will follow at Mansfield City Cemetery.
Dennis was born on February 18, 1964, in Brewton, Alabama, a son of the late, William and Barbara (Bradley) Franklin.
Mr. Franklin was a true business man. He enjoyed the thrills that owning a business brought, and loved tackling all the adventures that came with being a business owner with his business partner, his wife. Dennis was the owner of Steel Town Mobility, which he and his wife, Desiree, started in 2019. Previously, Dennis was the owner of Oasis Senior Advisory. Before that, Dennis worked at US Steel for 15 years, which is what brought him and his wife to Pennsylvania. His career was outstanding and he always worked so hard to provide for his family and his children. Dennis would rather be tired from a long day of work, than for his family to not have what they needed in life.
The outstanding man that Dennis was he passed right along to his children, while he and his wife raised them. His love for sports, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed right along in the blood line. The avid fan that Dennis was, he made sure that his whole family knew the importance of watching the Steelers game and rooting for them even during their losing streaks.
Mr. Franklin was the patriarchy of his family and there was nothing he loved more than his wife, kids, and grandkids, not even the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dennis was there for every moment in his children’s life, every baseball game, school dance, graduations, wedding, and even the birth of his grandbabies. Dennis could not be separated from his family. His family was his constant in life and he was theirs. There is no replacing the love that Dennis gave to his wife and kids. It was unconditional, powerful and could face any obstacle. It did not stop there, it transcended beyond unmeasure, to a host of extended family and an undeniable closeness with his cousin, “Tabo”. For that reason, death does not end his relationship with his family, it is only an “I’ll miss you and I’ll see you again.”
Surviving are his loving wife and best friend, Desiree (Whitfield) Franklin, children; Desanbra (Jovan) Olafioye, Dennie “DJ” Franklin, II and Dezmond Franklin, grandchildren; Dezyrah, Jovan “JoJo”, Jr., and Jozyah Olafioye, siblings, William (Phyllis) Franklin, Jr., Cynthia (Charles) Williams and Kerrick (Nicosia) Franklin, parents-in-law, Robert and Sandra Whitfield, Sr, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Along with his parents, Dennis is preceded in death by his son, De’Adrian Franklin.
Friends and family will be received on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. at Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc. and Crematory, 305 Main St., Imperial (724-695-2800). A Homegoing Service will be held on Monday, January 2, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Community Temple Church of God, 338 Harker Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44903. Interment will follow at Mansfield City Cemetery.