Steven Duane Franke of Hermiston passed away in Stanfield on Oct. 9, 2024 at the age of 61.
He was born on Feb. 27, 1963 in Fort Rucker, Ala. to Loren and Cheryl Butts Franke.
Steve grew up in Aumsville and Salem and attended schools there, graduating from high school in 1981. Steve married Deborah Stotler on Aug. 1, 1983 and she preceded him in death after 32 years of marriage.
Steve began his career with the Department of Corrections at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem in January 1985 as a corrections officer. He transferred to Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in 1990. While at EOCI he rose through the ranks, serving as officer, sergeant, lieutenant and captain and becoming the institution security manager in October 1999, which was later reclassified to assistant superintendent of security. He then worked at the Snake River Correctional Institution as the assistant supervisor of security and later as the assistant supervisor of general services. Steve was named superintendent of Two Rivers Correctional Institution in 2010 and was promoted to eastside institutions administrator in 2013, serving in that role until his retirement in 2016. He was an integral part of Oregon corrections during his time with the Department of Corrections, touching many lives and making a lasting impact on the department.
Steve married Samantha on April 30, 2016 in Hood River.
Steve enjoyed deer and elk hunting and was both an archery and rifle hunter. He was a diehard fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide, as well as a supporter of the L.A. Rams football team. He loved being outdoors, cooking on his Traeger grills and spending time with his family, especially his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Steve was kind, hardworking, and beyond generous. Knowing Steve meant knowing you had a lifelong friend in your corner. He was always just a call away, ready to offer a helping hand or a word of encouragement. He will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched.
He is survived and adored by his wife, Samantha; his parents, Loren and Cheryl Franke; his children, Eddie (Michael) Willits, Teresa Willits Strubel, Kina (John) Harp, Cleora (Alex) Brock, and Benjamin Stollar; his grandchildren, Jasmine, Andrew, Nakaia, James, Jack, Trevor, Leland, Selah, and Kavin; his brother, Doug (Dana) Franke; his sister, Tricia (Ken) Draze; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his late wife, Deborah Franke and his brother, Todd Franke.
A celebration of life will be held on Oct. 20, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Maxwell Event Center, 255 N. First St., Hermiston. Because of Steve’s love for Alabama football, the family has requested that attendees wear crimson and/or Alabama gear.
A second celebration of life will be held on Oct. 26, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Peoples Church, 4500 Lancaster Drive, N.E., Salem.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
