HERMAN JAMES ""JIM"" FRANZ passed away suddenly at home in Coaldale on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at the age of 59 years.

Jim was born in Filadelfia, Paraguay on March 19, 1947 to parents Jacob and Helene Franz. He moved to Canada when he was 16 to finish high school in B.C.'s lower mainland. When Jim was in his mid-twenties he went to travel and work in Europe and Israel, where he met his wife Jane in 1973. They moved to Coaldale and married in 1975.

Jim worked for the Town of Coaldale for 24 years as Parks & Facilities Foreman. He retired in 2002, and enjoyed several part time jobs over the last 5 years. He was Treasurer for the Coaldale Fish & Game Association at the time of his passing.

Jim was an active man who loved his long daily walks. His passions were nature and the outdoors and he spent much of his spare time fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping with his family and close friends. He will be remembered at the Coaldale Granite Club for his unique slide.

He leaves his loving wife Jane, son Aaron, daughter Simone and fiancé Neil, his mother Helene, siblings Esther (Klaus), Eleanor (Ernst), Ernie (Linda), Ken (Heidi), and Karen, brother-in-law Andrew, many nieces and nephews, and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at COALDALE UNITED CHURCH, 2022 - 18 Street, with Reverend Bob Wallace officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 207, 542 - 7 St South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2H1.