Errol "Pete" Wentworth Harkness, 85, of Franklin passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023.

Pete was born in Garden City, Kansas to the late Claude and Thelma Coen Harkness. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sharen Siegel; and granddaughter Shannon. He has lived in Franklin since 2017 and was of the Methodist faith. He loved woodworking and farming. In 1958, he founded Silvertip Skydiving, in Missoula, Montana. Pete served our country in the 82nd Airborne.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Jeanne Thompson; son, Michael Robert Harkness (Maria) of Altamont, FL; daughters, Kathleen Thelma McGrath (Eric) of Sugarhill, GA., Karen Robbins (Eddie) of Franklin, NC; brother, Gregory Harkness of Towner, CO, seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home on July 29, at 4pm. The family will receive friends 3:30-4pm, thirty minutes prior to the service. Military honors will be conducted by the VFW Post #7339 and American Legion Post #108.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Disabled Veterans or American Diabetes Association.

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.