Franklin E. Slonoff, 83, of Elk Grove Village, a retired manager for Crucible Steel Co. of Chicago, died Thursday in Alexian Brothers Medical Center. Born in Chicago, Mr. Slonoff graduated from Spaulding High School and attended night classes at Wright College, earning an associate’s degree in liberal arts. His 30-year career with Crucible Steel, a steel-products distributor, began in 1953. He held several positions, including administrative clerk and manager. In 1974, Mr. Slonoff served as president of the Skokie Valley chapter of Delta Nu Alpha, a transportation fraternity based in Nashville. From 1981 to 1986, he served as editor and secretary of the Midwest region’s Austin-Healy sports car club. Mr. Slonoff owned a 1960 Austin-Healy, which he drove in rallies. His biggest passion was photography, and he photographed weddings and family reunions during the 1940s and ’50s. Mr. Slonoff, who was an amputee, was married to his wife, Marise, who was also handicapped, for 56 years. “They were the most independent people you could ever meet,” said son James. Other survivors include another son, Scott; a daughter, Susan Howard; a brother, Nick Sulavaka; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights. A service will be held at noon Monday in the funeral home.
