Evelyn J. Franz

Evelyn Jean (Neiswender) Franz
September 6, 1929 - January 28, 2026

Evelyn Jean (Neiswender) Franz, 96, of Deshler, Ohio passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Rochester, New York.

She was born on September 6, 1929 in Deshler to the late Homer “Freck” and Anna Leona “Katzie” (Huffine) Neiswender.

Evelyn graduated from Deshler High School in 1947 and was valedictorian of her class. Over the years, she worked as a waitress at her brother’s restaurant, The Palm, and later at the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. She also served as a librarian at the Edwin Wood Memorial Library and transfer records clerk for a Patrick Henry summer school program. Above all, she was a loving homemaker, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, affectionately known as “GG.”

After Earl “Scrammy” Franz returned from serving his country in the United States Navy during World War II, he and Evelyn were married in Deshler. They enjoyed many road trips with friends and family to Florida, Northern Michigan and other destinations and shared a devoted life together on their farm until Earl’s passing in 2010.

Evelyn was a faithful worshipper, pianist/organist, treasurer and member of the women’s group serving New Beginnings/Deshler United Methodist Church for many years. More recently, while spending winters in Rochester, New York, she enjoyed the fellowship of Adams Basin United Methodist Church. She had many talents, including gardening, sewing, crafts and cardmaking, which she shared generously with family and friends. She was also a loving cook and baker who made sure her children and grandchildren were welcomed with their favorite meals and plenty of cookies. “Too much chocolate is just enough.” are words she lived by as well as emblematic of her abundant love for friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Earl; and her brother, Winfield “Win” Neiswender.

She is survived by her loving children, Cheri Warner, Lee Franz and Kelly (Ron) Busch; her grandchildren, Chris (Connor) O’Malley, Kim (Jerry Shaughnessy) Warner, Matt Busch and Megan Busch; and her great-grandchildren, Ryan O’Malley and Declan O’Malley and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

Services will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler, with Pastor James Brown officiating. The family will have a private burial service at Woodlawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 1:00 - 3:00pm on Saturday, prior to the services at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Deshler Edwin Wood Memorial Library or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Messages and memories can be left for the family at www.feehanrodenbergerfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Evelyn J. Franz, please visit our floral store.