Franz E. Wolff

Franz Wolff, 81, died on August 16, 2026, after a protracted battle with a progressive respiratory condition. Born into a family of watchmakers, Franz was the youngest of three sons of Katherine Wolff (née Schmidt) and Leroy Wolff.

Growing up in Elgin, Franz attended Illinois Park Elementary School and graduated from Elgin High School, where he co-edited the school newspaper, The Maroon, with his friend Tom Schales. While still in high school, Franz took floral design classes in Chicago every Saturday, learning skills that he used to pay tuition at the fledgling Elgin Community College and then American University in DC.

Returning to Elgin after graduation, Franz took a teaching position in Barrington Elementary District 1, Roslyn Road School. As a second year teacher, Franz helped organize District 1 teachers to unionize. With his friend David Tomchek, Franz continued to organize all three Barrington elementary districts and Barrington High School teacher unions into the Barrington Education Association, and then worked tirelessly to combine the four Barrington districts into Barrington Unit District 220, saving thousands of tax dollars eliminating 3 administrative offices and duplicate personnel.

Franz stayed active in the BEA as Executive Secretary throughout his 36 years teaching Barrington 5th graders and his gifted Math and Language Arts students. He held Illinois Education Association Board of Directors office, as well as IEA Regional Director, and oversaw several successful #220 contract negotiations. Those contracts encouraged District #220 teachers to earn Masters degrees, enhancing district education quality, and became the template for teacher contract negotiations throughout Illinois. Eventually, Franz earned a Masters degree in Reading Disability Diagnosis & Remediation from DePaul University.

While teaching at Roslyn Road, Franz met library aide Janet Carey, and discovered that they had gone to Illinois Park School together. Jan went on to nursing school, and they were married in 1975. In 1978, they welcomed baby boy Sean, and the three lived on Tower Lakes where Franz happily gardened, continued to grow orchids, and fed many woodland critters. 

Franz is survived by Jan and Sean, several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He is preceded in death by Leroy, Katherine, and brothers Donald and Emil.

Graveside service will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Evergreen Cemetery, Barrington.

A celebration of Franz’s life is set for a later date, time and date are pending.