Milton C. Batson

Milton (“Milt”) Carl Batson (1937–2023)

Milt was a wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather who was passionate about supporting his family and the people in his community. Milton Batson, 86, of Frankfort, Illinois, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023.

Milt was born in Frankfort, Illinois in 1937 to Elmer and Viola (Scheer) Batson, who raised him and his sister Marian (Batson) Haakinson in Frankfort, Illinois. Growing up, Milt loved to go to his Uncle Harold’s farm in Green Garden Township to help harness the horses and with chores where he could. Milt graduated from Frankfort Grade School in 1952 and Lincoln Way High School in 1956. After high school, Milt worked operating heavy equipment before starting with Brown and Lambrecht Earthmovers and joining the Local 150 International Union of Operating Engineers. He followed in the footsteps of his father and uncles and joined the Frankfort Volunteer Fire Department in 1958 rising through the ranks to become Fire Chief until he retired in 1983. In 1975, Milt obtained his Associates Degree in Fire Science from Joliet Junior College and became an Arson Investigator for the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall from 1975 to 2002. He had a passion for being a fire arson investigator.

In his personal life, Milt met the love of his life, Leora in 1959 while they both worked for Cooper Show Ford in Frankfort and soon fell in love. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on September 23, 1961.

Milt and Leora couldn’t wait to start a family of their own. Their children and grandchildren meant the world to them. Their first born, Alan Carl, married his wife Laura and raised their two sons’ Gehrig and Nicklaus. Their second, Dale Lee, married his wife Mary and raised a daughter Andrea and son Jared. Milt and Leora lived all their years together in Frankfort where they raised their family, but their dream home was in Naples, Florida where in retirement they spent most winters. Some of the best family memories were their yearly trips to Florida.

Everyone who knew Milt knew how much he loved woodworking. Milt and Leora spent countless hours in the garage crafting cabinets, furniture, and hundreds of birdhouses for the Naples Area Habitat for Humanity.

Milt was an active member of St. Peter’s Church in Frankfort, IL. He will always be remembered for the support of his community and the way loved his family. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and we will miss Milt every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Memorial Fund in Frankfort would be greatly appreciated.

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort, IL 60423 on Thursday, December 7th, 2023 from 9:00 AM until time of the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment, Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort, IL.