Drexel R. Franks, 70, of Rock Island, died Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport.  A funeral service will be at 10 am Friday, February 23, 2024 at the Knox Chapel of Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 2106 7th Avenue, Rock Island.  Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the Knox Chapel.  Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island, where military honors will be presented.  Memorials may be made in care of the Active Day Senior Center of Moline.

Drexel was born in Rock Island, Illinois on September 29, 1953.  He married MaryEllen Franks on November 2, 1973 in Rock Island.  She preceded him in death on April 3, 2020.

Drexel was a U.S Navy veteran who served on the USS Kitty Hawk.

Drexel worked for Montgomery Escalator, currently Kone in Moline for 27 years.  He retired from Marco in Davenport.

Drexel was a big fan of westerns and country music.  He enjoyed going to the Active Day Senior Center in Moline.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Amy Whitcomb, Rock Island, Sarah (Steve) Rockwell, Moline and Matthew (Jacqueline) Franks, Rock Island; grandchildren, Kyler (Hanna), Abbi (Adam), Rachel, Kaitlyn, Maddie, Jackson and Ben; siblings, Andrea (Tom) Johnson, Stan (Deanna) Franks and Cheryl (David) Hardy; life-long friend, Dean (Deanna) Snow; and his four-legged companion, his dog, Duke.

He was preceded in death by his wife and son-in-law, Richard Whitcomb.

Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com