Harold W. FRENCH

FRENCH, TATE, BENSKIN, DART, MITCHELL, MCCLANE, GRUBAUGH, ARMIJOS, JOHNSON, BLANKENBEKER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/22/2010 at 15:56:28

Harold W. French, 88 of Newton, IL passed away at 9:20 AM – Sunday, January 10, 2010 at Newton Rest Haven in Newton, IL. Funeral services celebrating Harold’s life will be at 11:00 AM – Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton, IL. Burial will in the Westlawn Cemetery in Newton, IL with full military rites by the Jasper Post #20 American Legion. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday January 13, 2010 at the Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, IL. There will also be visitation 1 hour before the services at the church. Memorials may be made to Oblong Children’s Home.

Harold was born on October 10, 1921 in Hardy, Iowa the son of Cecil and Mary (Tate) French. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Marie Benskin on April 27, 1947 at Rose Hill, IL and she preceded him in death on September 6, 1996. Harold was a retired farmer. He served his country in the United States Army during WW II and was stationed in Alaska. He carried the mail for the Army on the newly built Alaskan Highway. He was a member of the Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton.

Harold is survived by 4 Children – Don (Charlene) French of Poseyville, IN, Dan (Sheila) French of Coatesville, IN, Kenny (Pame) French of Newton, IL and Carolyn (Laird) Dart of Oblong, IL; 14 Grandchildren – Ann Marie (Cliff) House of McAlester, OK; Danny J. French of San Francisco, CA; Jessie (Andy) Mitchell of College Station, TX; Chad (Rae) French of Francesville, IN; Angie French of Seattle, WA; Brock French of Indianapolis, IN; Amy McClane of Campbell, CA; Katie McClane of Mattoon, IL; Kyle French of Newton; Kendra French of Newton, IL; Jason (Becky) Grubaugh of Newton, IL; Scott (Jamie) French of Speedway, Indiana; Les Dart of Washington,D.C. and Melanie (Marcelo) Armijos of Chicago, IL; nine great grandchildren; one brother, Homer (Doris) French of Newton, IL. Harold was preceded in death by his father Cecil French, mother and step father Mary and Jeffie Blankenbeker; sister Esther Johnson and a brother Herbert Dean French.

Effingham Daily News, Illinois
January 14, 2010