Franklin Allen Shay, 81, of Carthage

Franklin Allen Shay, 81, of Carthage, passed away early Friday morning, August 28, 2026, at the Klein Center - Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Ia.

 

Allen was born April 6, 1945, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Frank and Wilma (Launer) Shay.  He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1963.  On January 7, 1966, he was united in marriage to Carol Rae Martens at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Basco. She preceded him in death in 2023.  

 

Allen and Carol were excellent vocalists and sang for many weddings and funerals over the years.  Allen was also an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and received his Synod Authorized Ministry degree and served several churches as a pulpit supply lay minister.  He was an active community member as well, volunteering with H.U.G.S. and the food pantry.  He received his Honorable Discharge from the Iowa National Guard after his years of service from 1965 to 1972. He was a longtime employee of Chanen’s Auto Supply and also worked for Carson Auto parts and later finished his career with KAME medical supply in Keokuk.

 

Allen is survived by two daughters, Melissa (Mike) Hopp of Burlington, Iowa and Joella (Jim) Brown of Edmond, Oklahoma; grandchildren Jeremy Hopp, Brianna Zutz, Shayla McIntyre and Evan, McKenzie and Benjamin Brown; great grandchildren Isaac, Emily and Eric Hopp and Michael and Jameson McIntyre; and a brother, Mike (Debra) Shay of Oklahoma.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Carol; and sister, Connie Dimopoulos.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church near Basco with burial to follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Monday evening at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage.  Memorials may be made to the Heart Song Day Services in Burlington, Iowa.  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.