He was born May 31, 1926, in Seneca County, to George Adam and Helen Ruth Sarah (Seipp) Fruth. He married Nereid Johnson Oakleaf in Green Springs on June 14, 1947 and she died July 12, 1998.
Survivors include two sons, Steven F. Fruth of Tiffin, and David E. Fruth of Allison Park, Penn.; a daughter, Cheryl A. (David) Hignite of Mansfield; seven grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild: a brother, George E. Fruth of Republic; two sisters, Carol E. (Allen) Kirgis of Tiffin, and Pamela S. (Thomas) Ehrenfried of Holly Lake Ranch, Tex.; and a companion, Marilyn Pearce of Bowling Green.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nereid, and a sister, Norma Jean Trollo.
Mr. Fruth was a 1944 graduate of Scipio-Republic High School. He then entered the United States Navy and served our country during World War II as a Seaman. Franklin then went on to earn his Bachelors Degree in Vocational Education in 1969 from the University of Toledo. He then earned his Masters Degree in Secondary Education Administration from Akron University in 1975. He was a teacher, having taught at Fremont Ross, Mansfield Senior, and Fostoria High Schools.
Family and friends may call from 6 to 7 pm, Thursday, July 12, 2012 followed by a Memorial Service at 7 pm at Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419)447-3113, with Rev. Donna Van Trees officiating. The body has been donated to the University of Toledo Medical School, and burial of the cremated remains will be at Green Springs Cemetery at 11 am Friday, April 26, 2013. Military rites will be conducted by the United Veterans Council of Seneca County.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Stroke Association.