M. Waneta "Nita" Franklin, 92, of Elkhart, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Hubbard Hill Estates.

Nita was born June 10, 1924 in Seymour, IN to the late Dytes H. and Joy Pearl (Brown) Abell. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Lucille Parmerlee and Loretta Ferguson, one brother, Joseph Abell, and four other brothers who died in infancy.

On August 24, 1946, Nita married DeVon L. Franklin in Franklin, Indiana. He died September 18, 2007. She is survived by a daughter, Valorie J. (Colonel Todd L.) Eads, of Elkhart, IN; one son, DeVon L. Franklin Jr. (Mavis), of Kettering, OH; six grandsons, and six great grandchildren.

Nita received her Bachelors of Science degree from Goshen College, her Master's degree from Indiana University and her Administrative Certification from Ball State University.  Nita's passion was teaching children and she spent her career with the Elkhart Community School system, primarily at Pinewood Elementary School. For 10 years after her retirement, Nita and her late husband organized and operated Child Care of Elkhart at Mary Daly, Pinewood, Eastwood and Osolo Elementary Schools, a latch key program for children whose parents worked. She was also a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association and the Beulah Missionary Church.

Visitation for Nita will be held from 10 am until the 12 pm (Noon) funeral service on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home. The Reverend Dave Severance of Hubbard Hill will officiate and entombment will be in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America and Hubbard Hill Retirement Community.