Frank H. Tickner

FRANKLIN H. "FRANK" TICKNER, 88, died at 12:10 p.m. March 3, 2006, at Lima Memorial Health System. He was born Jan. 9, 1918, in Fairfield, Ill., to Franklin H. and Ruby Resenberger Tickner, who preceded him in death. On March 30, 1941, in Danville, Ill., he married Selma Johnson, who survives in Westminster. Mr. Tickner worked for Excello/Textron for 24 years, retiring in 1980. He was a graduate of Mahomet High School, Mahomet, Ill. He and his wife came to Lima in 1946, where he managed the Montgomery Ward Farm Store. He then owned Allen County Ford Tractor. He was one of the founders of the Allen County Implement Dealers Association and was an early sponsor of the Allen County Fair. He was president of the association. He was instrumental in establishing and promoting the Allen County Fair since 1946. He was a former member and past president of Westminster Rural Fire Department and past president of the Allen County Volunteer Firefighters Association. He was a member of the Auglaize Local School Board and the first Allen East School Board. After retiring from Excello/Textron, he taught carpentry in the Rehab Projects Inc. in Lima. He served as Auglaize Township Trustee for 12 years. He was in many Masonic activities. He was a 60-year member of Lima Masonic Lodge 205, Lima Chapter 49, Lima Council 20, Shawnee Commandry 14, Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton (past president of Allen County Scottish Rite), 33 degree Mason - Valley of Dayton, past sovereign master of High Point Council 120, past deputy grand master of the 10th Masonic District, Buckeye Council 92, honorary member of Hamer Lodge 167 in Wapakoneta, Antioch Temple AAONMS in Dayton, Lima Shrine Club. He received the Meritorious Service Award in 1993. He worked many hours volunteering at the monthly Masonic breakfast. He was instigator of the Allen County Masons, sponsoring the Masonic Rest Tent at the Allen County Fair. He was an Army veteran, serving during World War II from July 1943 to April 1946 in Patton's Red Ball Express as a master sergeant in charge of the motor pool. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Survivors also include a daughter, Sharon (Joe) Sanders of Harrod; a stepsister-in-law, Frances Lanham of Rossville, Ill.; a granddaughter, Melissa Sanders of Kansas City, Mo.; four nieces and nephews; and a brother-in-law, Robert Finley of Danville, Ill. He was preceded in death by a stepbrother, Forrest Lanham. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Katie Hayes will officiate. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery, Westminster. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where a Scottish Rite Ring Service will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Lima Masonic Center Trust Fund. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.