Rosalie Franks

Rosalie Joan Franks (née Strumbel), 86, of Vermilion, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2025 at Mercy New Life Hospice after a brief and sudden illness.

Born on October 1, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, Rosalie made Vermilion her home for the past 52 years after relocating from Chicago, IL. Rosalie spent her childhood vacations in Vermilion and loved the town from an early age.

Rosalie graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland and was a member of Saint Vitus Parish, where she married her husband. She attended college at John Carroll University and was employed by Our Lady of Lourdes School and Jesu School.

Rosalie had a passion and talent for teaching, cooking and hospitality by working as a teacher in Cleveland before opening her own catering companies, The Little Gourmet and Rambling Rose Catering, which she operated for over 25 years. She was also a successful real estate agent for HGM Realty. She was a devoted member of St. Mary Catholic Parish in Vermilion and active in the Vermilion College Club.  She volunteered throughout her life with Hospice, Disabled and Gifted Children, and countless Community events. She found joy in cooking, baking (the BEST Lemon Meringue pie!), traveling, playing poker/gin rummy and spending cherished time with family and friends.  She enjoyed being a seashell-collecting snowbird on Amelia Island for 15 years and made fast-friends with people from all walks of life. She was an avid reader and accomplished card player, holding her own in Las Vegas tournaments.

She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, John A. “Jack” Franks Jr.; her children, Mary Jo (Don) Boswell of Mentor, John A. Franks III of Bellevue,  Peter (Jan) Franks of Elyria, Dan (Abbie) Franks of Lewisburg, WV, and Amy (Nate) Parsons of Amelia Island, FL; her beloved grandchildren, Christopher (Rochelle) Franks, Timothy Franks, Samantha (Jordan) Howerton, Mirabella Parsons and Graham Parsons; and her great grandchildren, Emma, Adalyn, and Miles.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Jennie (née Mohorcic) Strumbel.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 1pm at St. Mary Parish, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion.

A private inurnment will be held at All Souls Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Parish, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, OH 44089.

Online condolences may be shared at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.