John Franklin Utz Jr.

Funeral service celebrating the life of John “Franklin” Utz, Jr, 58, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 31, 2026 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home 943 Polk St. Mansfield, Louisiana with Bro. Chris Berry officiating. Interment will follow at Bethany Cemetery Marthaville, Louisiana.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2026 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

John Franklin Utz, Jr. was born on April 27 1968 in Shreveport, Louisiana to John Franklin Utz, Sr. and Reata Gail Free and passed away July 27, 2026 in Frierson, Louisiana.

John graduated from North DeSoto High School and retired from Ryerson. John’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, visiting with family and friends and he never met a stranger.

Franklin was preceded in death by parents, Reata and John Utz, Sr., and sister, Gail Smith.

Left to cherish his memory are his niece, Samantha Hesser and husband Cord and great nephews, Brantley and Casen Hesser.

Honoring Franklin as pallbearers will be Cord Hesser, Brantley Hesser, Casen Hesser, Brian Hesser, Kent Smith and Wade Baker.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Wilson Baker, Kirk Lee, Billy Hines, Bobby Weeks, and many other special friends.