Lewis Carl French, 84, of rural Dixon, was born on January 6, 1926, near Vienna, Mo., in Maries County, a son of James Benjamin and Alpha Louise French, and died Friday, January 8, 2010, at his residence.
Mr. French was united in marriage on June 8, 1946, at Waynesville, Mo., to the former Louise Ellis, and to this union four sons were born. He was preceded in death by one infant son, Joseph Judson French, on September 12, 1958; his father on December 22, 1962; his mother on March 29, 1979; four brothers, Norman French; James French in 1934; Tim French; Roy French; and two sisters; Ruby Helton and Virginia French.
Mr. French was a member of the Vienna United Methodist Church, the Registered Angus Association, and the Missouri Farm Bureau.
Mr. French was a United States Navy Veteran of World War II. His United States Naval service began on October 9, 1943, and during his naval service he served in the Pacific war theatre aboard the USS Rudyard Bay. Among the memorable moments during that service was his personal observance from the crow's nest of the aircraft carrier of the American flag being raised in Iwo Jima. Mr. French was awarded and entitled to wear the Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, the American Area Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Point System Discharge Award. Prior to his discharge on December 14, 1945, Mr. French had attained the rank of Seaman First Class V6. A man of excellent character, his "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service during World War II. After his discharge from the Navy, he continued his military service on a full time basis with the Missouri National Guard in Jefferson City and was transferred to Mexico, Mo. in 1960. He became the First Sergeant of the 128th Field Artillery, Target Acquisition Battalion, Battery B, where he was known for years simply as "Sergeant French". In 1978 he was transferred back to Jefferson City where he retired in 1981 with the rank of Master Sergeant. At that time, he continued his lifelong love of farming in Maries County.
Survivors include: His loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Louise French, of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law: Jim and Carol French of Columbia; John and Linda French of Brinktown; and Tom and Karen French of Fulton; nine grandchildren: Jenny Brothers, Liz French, David French, Benjamin French, Erica Wieberg, Hannah Whitaker, Sarah French, Kasey French, and Katey French; four great-grandchildren: Ace Helton, and Aidin, Jack, and Nate Brothers; one brother: Murl French, rural Iberia; and one sister: Ruth Lawson, Marshfield.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, January 11, 2010, in the Vienna United Methodist Church with the Rev. Karen Alden officiating. Military graveside services and interment were in the Crismon Cemetery, Brinktown, Mo. Active pallbearers were Michael French, David French, Benjamin French, Justin Wieberg, Luke Helton, and Jared Humphrey.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Crismon Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, c/o Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582.
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Lewis Carl French, 84, of rural Dixon, was born on January 6, 1926, near Vienna, Mo., in Maries County, a son of James Benjamin and Alpha Louise French, and died Friday, January 8, 2010, at his residence.
Mr. French was united in marriage on June 8, 1946, at Waynesville, Mo., to the former Louise Ellis, and to this union four sons were born. He was preceded in death by one infant son, Joseph Judson French, on September 12, 1958; his father on December 22, 1962; his mother on March 29, 1979; four brothers, Norman French; James French in 1934; Tim French; Roy French; and two sisters; Ruby Helton and Virginia French.
Mr. French was a member of the Vienna United Methodist Church, the Registered Angus Association, and the Missouri Farm Bureau.
Mr. French was a United States Navy Veteran of World War II. His United States Naval service began on October 9, 1943, and during his naval service he served in the Pacific war theatre aboard the USS Rudyard Bay. Among the memorable moments during that service was his personal observance from the crow's nest of the aircraft carrier of the American flag being raised in Iwo Jima. Mr. French was awarded and entitled to wear the Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, the American Area Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Point System Discharge Award. Prior to his discharge on December 14, 1945, Mr. French had attained the rank of Seaman First Class V6. A man of excellent character, his "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service during World War II. After his discharge from the Navy, he continued his military service on a full time basis with the Missouri National Guard in Jefferson City and was transferred to Mexico, Mo. in 1960. He became the First Sergeant of the 128th Field Artillery, Target Acquisition Battalion, Battery B, where he was known for years simply as "Sergeant French". In 1978 he was transferred back to Jefferson City where he retired in 1981 with the rank of Master Sergeant. At that time, he continued his lifelong love of farming in Maries County.
Survivors include: His loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Louise French, of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law: Jim and Carol French of Columbia; John and Linda French of Brinktown; and Tom and Karen French of Fulton; nine grandchildren: Jenny Brothers, Liz French, David French, Benjamin French, Erica Wieberg, Hannah Whitaker, Sarah French, Kasey French, and Katey French; four great-grandchildren: Ace Helton, and Aidin, Jack, and Nate Brothers; one brother: Murl French, rural Iberia; and one sister: Ruth Lawson, Marshfield.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, January 11, 2010, in the Vienna United Methodist Church with the Rev. Karen Alden officiating. Military graveside services and interment were in the Crismon Cemetery, Brinktown, Mo. Active pallbearers were Michael French, David French, Benjamin French, Justin Wieberg, Luke Helton, and Jared Humphrey.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Crismon Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, c/o Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582.
