Dennis Earl Franklin

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Dennis E. “Big Den” Franklin, 58, of Clinton, Findlay Township, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, in Heritage Valley – Sewickley.

Dennis was born on February 18, 1964, in Brewton, Alabama, a son of the late, William and Barbara (Bradley) Franklin.

Mr. Franklin was a true business man. He enjoyed the thrills that owning a business brought, and loved tackling all the adventures that came with being a business owner with his business partner, his wife. Dennis was the owner of Steel Town Mobility, which he and his wife, Desiree, started in 2019. Previously, Dennis was the owner of Oasis Senior Advisory. Before that, Dennis worked at US Steel for 15 years, which is what brought him and his wife to Pennsylvania. His career was outstanding and he always worked so hard to provide for his family and his children. Dennis would rather be tired from a long day of work, than for his family to not have what they needed in life.

The outstanding man that Dennis was he passed right along to his children, while he and his wife raised them. His love for sports, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed right along in the blood line. The avid fan that Dennis was, he made sure that his whole family knew the importance of watching the Steelers game and rooting for them even during their losing streaks.

Mr. Franklin was the patriarchy of his family and there was nothing he loved more than his wife, kids, and grandkids, not even the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dennis was there for every moment in his children’s life, every baseball game, school dance, graduations, wedding, and even the birth of his grandbabies. Dennis could not be separated from his family. His family was his constant in life and he was theirs. There is no replacing the love that Dennis gave to his wife and kids. It was unconditional, powerful and could face any obstacle. It did not stop there, it transcended beyond unmeasure, to a host of extended family and an undeniable closeness with his cousin, “Tabo”. For that reason, death does not end his relationship with his family, it is only an “I’ll miss you and I’ll see you again.”

Surviving are his loving wife and best friend, Desiree (Whitfield) Franklin, children; Desanbra (Jovan) Olafioye, Dennie “DJ” Franklin, II and Dezmond Franklin, grandchildren; Dezyrah, Jovan “JoJo”, Jr., and Jozyah Olafioye, siblings, William (Phyllis) Franklin, Jr., Cynthia (Charles) Williams and Kerrick (Nicosia) Franklin, parents-in-law, Robert and Sandra Whitfield, Sr, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Along with his parents, Dennis is preceded in death by his son, De’Adrian Franklin.

Condolence Messages

  1. Charles and Patti Ray

    Desi and Family our Prayers are with you all. Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING. Uncle Charles and Aunr Patti Love You and are here for you. We Love You!

  2. Dr. Monica K. Harris

    To the Franklin Family,
    You are in my prayers. Dennis was a wonderful man whom I’ve known for years when they lived across the street from my aunt on Chester Ave. He always has a smile on his face. May God comfort you at this difficult time.

  3. Loretta Hilliard

    With deepest to the family from Herb and Loretta Hilliard

  4. Kim Hairston-Dismuke

    Praying for the Family

  5. My deepest prayers and condolences to the Franklin and Whitfield family, so very sorry for your loss, look to the hills fro whence cometh all your help. Joan McNeil and Family

  6. Sylvia Boyd & Family

    Sending our Deepest Sympathy to the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  7. Betty Palmer-Harris

    My heartfelt sympathy to the Bradley and Franklin family. May God be with you at this time of sorrow.

  8. Praying that God will continue to strengthen you in the coming days in the loss of your loved one.

  9. Martha Kyser-Anderson

    Deacon Whitfield and Family. Sorry to read of the passing of your son-in-law. Praying God will comfort each of you.

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