Richard E. French

May 28, 1927 - July 26, 2012

Richard E. French, 85, rural Silver Lake, died at 10:15 p.m. Thursday, July 26, 2012, at his residence. He was born May 28, 1927, in Howard County, to Charley and Mamie Gearheart French. On May 10, 1947, at the Silver Creek Church of God, Silver Lake, he married Donna Belle Bucher French. He retired in 1994 after 47 years from General Tire Corp. in Wabash where he was a manufacturing analyst and a cost estimator for new business, receiving the president's award in 1993 for outstanding achievements. He graduated from Laketon High School in 1945. He was a member of the Silver Creek Churches of God General Conference and the Gideons International Wabash County Camp. He served as state treasurer of the Indiana Conference of Churches of God for 16 years and as president of the National Conference Churches of God Winebrenner Brotherhood for nine years. He also served in many ministries of Gideons International. Loving God's creation was the main focus of his life. God brought many people into his life and blessings flowed. Family, friends and fellowship, his goal was to remain faithful. Survivors include wife, Donna Belle French, Silver Lake; a daughter, Suzanne and husband Mark Holt, Sweetser; two sons, Joseph and wife Sara French, Warsaw, and David and wife Marlyn French, Fort Wayne; eight grandchildren, Melissa Klotz, Cherie Dupor, Amanda Manley, Derek French, Amanda Thompson, Ashley Holt, Allison Holt and Alexis Holt; nine great-grandchildren, Brady Klotz, Natalie Klotz, Tyler French, Sydney Manley, Merin French, Sava Dupor, Draza Dupor, Ninah Dupor and Adah Dupor; and a brother, Rev. Wm. Ed and wife Vaudene French, Silver Lake. He was preceded by his parents; a sister, Lauretta Evans; and two brothers, Woody and Roy French. Funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 30, 2012, at the Silver Creek Church of God, 6504 W. 1300 South, Silver Lake, with Pastor Jim Martin and Pastor Tom Craig officiating. Visitation is 2-6 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2012, at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial is at Silver Creek Cemetery, Silver Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to Silver Creek Church of God, Gideons International, Kosciusko Home Care and Kosciusko County Hospice.