Janice Violette Franklin, 88, of Sterling, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, in Sterling. Closed casket services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, with Minister Kamathy Schuppe officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery.

Janice Violette Franklin was born Jan. 2, 1924, to Lucien Colin and Sarah Edith (Robirds) LeBlanc at home near Sterling. She attended a one room elementary school and later graduated from Crook High School in 1941. Janice was active in 4-H and showed calves at the Logan County Fair. She was a cheerleader and band majorette during high school. Following graduation she attended a vocational school in Brush and learned bookkeeping, filing and office management skills. Desiring to further her education, she graduated from NJC in 1969.

Janice met the love of her life, Earl D. Franklin Jr., at a basketball game where he was taking tickets and she was a cheerleader for the Crook Mallards. They were married on Oct. 18, 1942, in Sterling. Two children were born to the couple: Douglas in 1944 and Earline in 1945 while Earl was serving in World War II and the Philippines.

Janice used her bookkeeping skills at Brooks Transport for a few years and also when she and Earl owned and operated Royal Printing Co. for 41 years.

Being very active in the community, Janice was a leader for cub scouts, boy scouts, brownies, and girl scouts. She was a Girl Scout leader for 24 years, was a member of the Mountain Prairie Girl Scouts Council and trained new leaders for 10 years.

Seeing youth learn and flourish was a passion. In 1961 she took seven Girl Scouts across the U.S. to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and New York City. In 1977 she took five scouts to Mexico City. As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, she was very involved in the Girls State program. Janice was a counselor for 24 years and Colorado state director twice. Her favorite teaching was about how the legislature works and bills are made into laws. In 1984 she was the National Vice Chairman of Girls Nation.

As a member of the Legion Auxiliary, she held offices in local, district, state and national levels. In the Colorado Association, Janice was vice president in 1972, president in 1973, and convention chairman in 1968, '71 and' 76. She served as chairman of the national convention in 1977. While serving on the national level, she was the representative to the Women's Forum on National Security in D.C. for nine years. In 1978 she was national chairman of Community Services, promoting the fund drive for Muscular Dystrophy to 13,000 auxiliary units and appeared on the Jerry Lewis TV telethon to present the auxiliary donation. In 1978 as Western Division Vice President, her greatest concern was current legislation affecting veterans including hospital funding and care and lack of respect for veterans. Earl and Janice traveled all over the United States while serving in the Legion. Later they traveled to many places across the world enjoying new cultures and wonderful cruises.

With the local auxiliary, she was instrumental in providing hospital equipment to people in the community free of charge, assisted at many veterans events, and service projects for the community. She was also a member of the VFW auxiliary.

Janice was a member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as a teacher, Sunday school superintendent, youth adviser, elder and clerk of the session.

A very patriotic person, Janice was active in the Republican Party, helping candidates and causes that supported her values and beliefs. She held offices on the local, district and state levels.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her extended family, hosting many holiday events at her home. She liked to garden and especially enjoyed flowers in her later years. She played in a monthly Pinochle club for over 30 years with many special friends. Her hobbies were word-find puzzles, embroidery, and listening to hymns or music from the Big Band era.

She is survived by her daughter, Earline Schuppe and husband Gordon of Iliff; brothers, Robert Leblanc and wife Lucille of Crook, Calvin Loyal LeBlanc and wife Joyce of Delta; grandchildren, Cinde James and husband David of Frederick, Mike Schuppe and wife Kammy of Iliff, Kassi Schuppe of Des Moines, Iowa, Todd Franklin of Aurora, Trent Franklin of Sterling and Alyson Franklin of Fort Collins; great-grandchildren, Dalton Schuppe and wife Meagan, Dakota Schuppe, Phillip Wise, Katie James, Mikey James and Gaige Franklin; in-laws, Marilyn and Leo Christensen, Stanley and Marilyn Franklin, Royal and Dollee Franklin, Pat Kuehn and Walt Bailey; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband, Earl in 2000; son, Douglas in 1995; her parents and Earl's parents; two infant brothers; sisters, Alice Shires and Jeanne Bailey; and brothers, Leslie and Wilfred.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association or NJC Foundation/Hope Scholarships.