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Services held for Lake County Councilwoman Elsie Franklin

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 16 at the Genesis Convention Center for Lake County Councilwoman Elsie Franklin.

Franklin, 81, died May 6 after a long illness.

A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, she moved to Gary at an early age. She attended Roosevelt High School and was a member of Clark Road Baptist Church in Gary.

Franklin served on the Lake County Council for 17 years and last year was elected to another term on the council. In addition to her role in county government she was major in Democratic politics city and county politics serving as Chairwoman of the Gary Precinct Organization, Vice Chairwoman of the Lake County Democratic Party and Captain of the Third District Precinct Organization.

Franklin was appointed Director of the General Service Department by former mayor, Thomas V. Barnes.

Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson released this statement upon the passing of longtime Lake County Councilwoman, Elsie Franklin.

“I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Elsie Franklin. I am sending condolences to her family and friends. I was honored to know her and work with her. She served as General Services Director under Mayor Barnes, Vice Chair of the Lake County Democratic Party and Chair is the Gary Precinct Organization. Her passing will leave a void in the political fabric of our community that will be hard to fill. I will always cherish our friendship and our last conversations as she still worked to encourage this community with everything she had.”

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