Franklin Brtva

Franklin D. Brtva, age 85, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2019 at Joliet Area Community Hospice.  He currently resided in Sevierville, TN but was formerly of Clermont, FL; Diamond, IL; and Peotone, IL where he was born and raised.

He was born on January 30, 1934 in Joliet, IL, the son of Dennis and Viola (Schwiesow) Brtva.  He was a Peotone High School graduate, Class of 1952.  He was a US Army Korean War Veteran and a member of the Peotone American Legion Post 392.  Franklin was retired from Northern Illinois Gas after 40 years of employment.  He spent 53 years associated with the Boy Scouts of America and was the former Scoutmaster of Peotone Troop 315.  He enjoyed spending the last 20 years of the winter season in Florida and loved visiting Walt Disney World almost every day.  While living in Diamond, IL he was an active member of the Coal City United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed gardening and spending time outdoors.

Franklin is survived by his loving wife, Georgia Kay (Ament) Brtva who he married on August 19, 1982.  He is also survived by his children; Dennis (Jodi) Brtva of Bloomington, IL, Catherine (Jerry Conte) Brtva of Sevierville, TN, and David (Darby) Brtva of Joliet, IL; his grandchildren, Michael (Heather) Kaczmarski, Becky (Daphne) Brtva, Adam (Becky) Brtva, Amanda (Todd) Szymanski, Jessica Brtva, Derek Kaczmarski, Tara (Tim) Dinolfo, Eric Craigmile, Alexander Brtva, and William Franklin Brtva; his great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Kayleigh, Katelyn, Lilli, Thomas, and Andrew; a sister-in-law, Eleanore Brtva of Las Vegas, NV; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ralph Brtva; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Audrea (Leroy) Bisping and Marilyn (Euthemios) Chellios

Cremation rites have been accorded.  A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, October 12, at Coal City United Methodist Church, 6805 E. McArdle Rd., Coal City, IL 60416, from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. with a memorial service being held at 3:00 p.m., Pastor Brad Shumaker officiating.  Committal services and military honors will be conducted at Peotone Cemetery on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.  Memorials may be directed to Franklin Brtva Memorial Fund, C/O Rainbow Council, 921 South State St., Lockport, IL 60441.