Iron River mourns Anselm “Sam” Franz, Navy veteran, 99

What does a life that began in Billerio, Italy, and ended in Iron River reveal about the county’s immigrant roots, wartime generation and civic memory? For Anselm “Sam” G. Franz, the answer runs through nearly a century of movement, work, faith and community ties. Franz died Saturday, May 2, at age 99, leaving behind a story that touched Detroit, the U.S. Navy and the churches and fraternal halls that helped define Iron County life.

Born March 22, 1927, in Billerio, Italy, Franz was the son of Valentino and Margherita (Croatto) Franz. He graduated from St. Anthony High School in Detroit in 1945 and served in the U.S. Navy, part of the generation whose lives were shaped by war, migration and the industrial cities that drew so many families from overseas. He later worked as a heating inspector for the City of Detroit before his ties to Iron County deepened through family and church.

Franz married Peggy Mengarelli on April 11, 1981, in Detroit, and the couple marked their 45th wedding anniversary this year. In Iron River, he belonged to St. Agnes Catholic Church and also attended St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian, part of the Catholic communities of Iron River, Caspian and Watersmeet. His place in the community also extended to the Iron River Elks Lodge No. 1671, where he was a former member and was once named Elk of the Year. The lodge itself dates to October 12, 1959, a reminder of how fraternal and civic organizations became part of the county’s social fabric during the postwar years.

Those who knew Franz remember a man who collected stories as readily as miles. He enjoyed riding motorcycles with Wayne and Ruth Raymond, camping, dancing with Peggy, playing cards and reading. He also liked telling stories about flying a Piper Cub airplane, the kind of detail that turned an ordinary conversation into a memory worth keeping.

Franz is survived by Peggy; daughters Karen Cook and Phyllis Rudolph; son Alexander Franz; brothers Pete, Guido and Carlo Franz; sister Elsa Gregg; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by a great-grandchild.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 30, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian, 510 Brady Ave., with Rev. Daniel Dapaah officiating.