Arthur Maris Franke

April 9, 1944 - June 1, 2025

Arthur Maris Franke passed peacefully at Ohio’s Hospice in Columbus, Ohio on June 1, 2025. Maris was born the oldest of 3 boys on April 9, 1944 in Dayton, Ohio to Arthur H. Franke and Dorothy McCrabb Franke. Having been raised on a farm in St. Paris, OH, Maris never lost his love for farm life and treasured his 1958 John Deere tractor. He was a proud alumnus of The Ohio State University College of Agriculture and its well-known TBDBITL marching band (The Best Damn Band in the Land).

Maris married Nancy Sidner on December 9, 1967. They have two children, Brian Douglas (sp. Ikuko Nishimura) and Anne Louise (sp. Joseph Locatelli), two grandchildren Mia Cecile Locatelli and Joseph Franke Locatelli. He is survived by two brothers, Michael Douglas and Marc Anthony (sp. Cheri), brother-in-law Wilbur “Skip” Sidner (sp. Dyanne) and 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Frances Tokar and Judy Carter, and 12 nieces and nephews. Maris had a great love for family and treasured his times with them making homemade ice cream and lemonade in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Iowa.

Maris’s career began in Animal Nutrition and expanded into software development for IBM. For 26 years he managed his own software development company, Practical Solutions. In later years he enjoyed volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the local Family Shelter. He was also a member of the Rebounders Club, avid supporters of The Ohio State Women’s Basketball team. Whatever Maris was involved with, it led to strong friendships including his last years at Brookdale Retirement Community.

A Memorial Service will be held at Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus on Sunday, June 15, 3:30 PM with visitation from 2 – 3 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ohio’s Hospice, Newark, Ohio, www.OhiosHospice.org/Give or Doctors Without Borders, www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Maris was a member of the marching band in 1963. He played Baritone.