Gary Paul Franz Jr., age 29, a resident of Geneva, IL, died Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at Seasons Hospice in Naperville, Illinois. He was born October 30, 1989 in Indonesia where his parents, Gary and Carol Franz, were serving as missionaries with Pioneers.

Gary Paul's life verse was given to his parents just days before his birth and comes from what Jesus said when he miraculously healed a man who was born blind.


Born with severe hydrocephalus, Gary Paul faced mental and physical disabilities. He overcame many life-threatening health challenges, undergoing numerous surgeries and hospitalizations.

So that the Lord's greater work might be displayed in Gary Paul, He preserved his life and also allowed him to enjoy years of stable, healthy living, during which he shared his joy with his family and friends and everyone who cared for him.

Gary Paul was full of love. He greeted people with an enthusiastic "Hi", his one vocabulary word. Though he never articulated a full sentence, his life spoke volumes to those who knew him. And though he never took a step, his stride in life taught us so much. He inspired others with his courage, perseverance, love and sincere joy.

In the last years of his life, Gary Paul enjoyed residing at Marklund, a group home, where he made many friends and was loved and specially cared for by the staff. Each day was filled with many life-giving activities and special events.

Gary Paul's time on earth culminated in a 36-day battle with a brain infection, that despite the best medicine and the valiant efforts of caring doctors, he was not able to humanly overcome. In the early afternoon of October 31, 2018, just a day after his 29th birthday, God's greater work of healing was displayed in Gary Paul's life when Jesus came to bring him to his eternal home in heaven.

Gary Paul is survived by his parents and three sisters, Jennifer (Rofkhar), Lori (Babb), and Kaitlyn, and his brothers-in-law, Nathan Rofkhar and Derek Babb, and soon to be brother-in-law, Jake Hirsch. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Ted Fletcher.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 5, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until the start of a Celebration of Life Service to be held at 7:00 p.m. at Highpoint Church, Wheaton Campus (formerly First Baptist Church of Wheaton), 1310 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment will take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Wheaton Cemetery , 1209 Warrenville Road, Wheaton, IL 60189.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Marklund , the group home that cared so well for Gary Paul and continues to care for his friends. Their address is 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, IL, 60134; or give online at www.marklund.org