Bruce "Bengi" Franklin

Bruce “Bengi” Don Franklin, 69, of Herrin, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Encompass Health Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 8, 2023, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Rev. Ron Henwood officiating. Inurnment will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy. Masonic rites will begin at 11:00 a.m., Friday, with visitation immediately following. 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Bengi was born February 13, 1954, in Herrin, to Dayton Ladru and Bonnie Rose (Mays) Franklin.

He is survived by his daughter, Kelsey (Anthony) Rohrer; sons, Adam (Michelle) Franklin, and Hayden Franklin; grandchildren, Grayson, Oliver, Rory, and Quinn Rohrer, and Aubrey and Madeline Franklin; brother, Monte (Bonnie) Franklin; and several nieces and nephews.

His family would like to extend a special thanks to Wendy Franklin and Courtney Patton for their compassionate care and support of Bengi. 

Bengi was preceded in death by his parents.

He had been a coal miner at Brushy Creek Mine in Harco for over 19 years. Bengi then worked as a bus driver for Williamson County Mass Transit for several years.  

Bengi enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He was a member of the Pigeon Inn in Herrin and belonged to the Prairie Masonic Lodge #693 A.F. & A.M.

His grandchildren were his pride and joy.

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