Franklin Ware, 80, Maryville MO and formerly of Burlington, ND died suddenly on April 7, 2026, at his home in Maryville.
Franklin Charles Ware “Cubby” was born at home in Arkoe, Missouri on October 1, 1945, to Elvin and Mary Ellen (Shelton) Ware. He was raised and educated in Maryville, MO and graduated from Maryville High School in 1964. As a young adult he enjoyed putting models together and was employed at Montgomery Wards before entering the Air Force.
Franklin enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1971 and served at RAF Uxbridge, England (8 years); Minot Air Force Base; Belgium and RAF Greenham Common, England (4 years) before he returned to Minot Air Force Base. He received numerous medals and commendations for his work as a missile maintenance technician prior to his honorable discharge as a tech sergeant in 1997.
Frank married Avis Parkes Stone on January 15, 1975. Following his retirement, Frank was employed by the BX at the Minot Air Force Base, Alan Kurth Motors, Mini Mart and drove bus for Bishop Ryan High School. He retired in 2007. Avis died on July 4, 2011. He stayed in the Minot area until April of 2024 and settled in Bethany, Missouri, until December of 2025 when he came home to Maryville.
Frank was a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Am-Vets and Magic City Dart League. He especially enjoyed hiking, exploring the countryside, woodworking, horseshoes, reading and was an avid steel tip dart player and horseshoe player at the VFW and Moose Lodges.
Those left to mourn Frank’s passing are his stepdaughter: Lynn DeCoster (Bob Griffin); step grandchildren: Bryce Schroeder and Branden Griffin; sisters: Phyllis and Rita; brothers: Junior, David and Mike; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and Sandy Farnan a longtime family friend and Frank’s housekeeper.
Frank was the oldest of ten children and was preceded in death by his parents, wife, stepdaughter: Julia (Douglas) Watt; sisters: Darlene, Donna, Mary Elizabeth and brother: Isaac “Ikey/Clutch”.
The family will gather with friends on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Price Funeral Home in Maryville, Missouri. Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held this Summer of 2026 next to his beloved wife Avis in the Veterans Section of Rosehill Memorial Park in Minot, North Dakota.
