Franklyn Wedgwood "Frank" York, age 77 of Big Rapids, passed peacefully Tuesday, January 8, 2019 after a battle with Parkinsons for several years. He was born April 30, 1941 in Grand Rapids, the son of Franklyn Fredrick and Abgail Elizabeth (Wedgwood) York. Frank was raised in Grandville in his family home that later was used to start the Wedgwood Christian Home for Children in 1960. He attended Ottawa High School and later Michigan State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Social Sciences Degrees. Frank was employed by the United States Department of Agriculture as a Budget Analysist and during that time attended Georgetown University Law School in Washington D.C. He returned to Michigan to attend the University of Michigan on a National Foundation Fellowship and then back to Michigan State University to earn his PhD in Social Sciences. Frank married Ruth Ann Shumaker in June 1964. He was a Social Science, Sociology, and Marriage and the Family Professor at Ferris State University for over 25 years. During this time, Frank wrote a text book of case studies for Marriage and the Family. He also authored another book inspired by his interest in junctions titled, "Ghost Junction" with one of the junctions being in Reed City. Frank enjoyed photography, following the stock market, music and train steam engines. He also liked to read mysteries, loved used bookstores and historic novels of WWII. Frank collected stamps and had been a member of the Kent Philatelic Society since childhood. He also enjoyed traveling to, visiting and talking about all the small towns of Michigan. Frank owned rental property in Lansing and Grand Rapids; in 1987, he purchased Canterbury Apartments in Big Rapids. Frank is survived by his wife Ruth; two daughters, Anne York and husband James Morrone of Big Rapids and Elizabeth York and her husband Keith Langworthy of Rockford; three grandchildren, Emily Morrone, Keith Evan Langworthy and Eden Langworthy. The family will greet friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 13, 2019 at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with a eulogy at 5:00 p.m. This spring Frank will be laid to rest at the Grandville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Franklyns name to Parkinsons Association of West Michigan, 260 Jefferson SE, Suite 210, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family by clicking the guestbook tab at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com The family will greet friends Sunday, January 13, 2019 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,Michigan 49307