Obituary – Franklin R. Cree
Franklin R. Cree of Mill Hall died Saturday, October 7, 2023.
He was born on February 22, 1925, in Lock Haven, the son of Reuben and Elizabeth Harnish Cree. He was the husband of the late Patricia Bodle Cree. They were married almost 66 years at the time of her death in 2013.
Mr. Cree is survived by his son David F. Cree and his wife Debra Irvin Cree of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, his daughter Barbara Cree Gordesky and H. James Lawrence of Asheville, North Carolina, and his daughter Janet E. Cree and husband Michael Gee of Norfolk, Massachusetts. He has four grandchildren, Emma Claire, Evan Michael, Nathan Peter and Elizabeth Lynne Cree Gee. He is also survived by his two nephews, Phil Bressler and Frank Stover, both of State College. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary C. Barry.
Mr. Cree was born in Lock Haven and graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1943. Following his graduation, he entered the US Army during World War II and saw three years of service in the European Theater as part of the 272nd Infantry Regiment, 69th Division. Following his army service, Mr. Cree attended Penn State University, where was asked to play in the famous Blue Band. He was an accomplished flutist. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn State. He was believed to be one of the oldest Blue Band alumni at the time of his death.
With the exception of his time in the service, in college, and his early career, Mr. Cree was a lifelong resident of Clinton County and was active in the community through his business career and service organizations. He was engaged as an officer in the banking profession beginning at the Lock Haven Trust Company, Central Counties Bank, and Mellon Bank, retiring as Cashier at the First National Bank of Howard in 1985.
He was an elder at the Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church in Mill Hall and a member of the Lock Haven Lafayette Masonic Lodge and the Williamsport Consistery. He was a longtime member and past president of the Mill Hall Kiwanis Club.
The funeral service will be held at the Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church 109 Main St. Mill Hall on Wednesday, October 11 at 11:00 AM.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church in Mill Hall and the Ross Library, Lock Haven.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Gedon Funeral Home & Cremation Services LLC. On line thoughts and memories can be made at www.GedonFuneralHomes.com and the Gedon Funeral Home Facebook Page.
