Born: Jan. 10, 1924

Died: Feb. 27, 2013

Henry S. French, 89, of Niles, passed away on Feb. 27, 2013 in St. Joseph, Mich.

He was born on Jan. 10, 1924 in Custer Park, Ill., to Samuel and Catherine French.  On June 14, 1952 he married Barbara Eisele in Niles.

He was a WWII Army Veteran in 132nd Division of Army Core of Engineers. He served in multiple battles in The South Pacific Theatre. He was chosen to be in the Honor Guard at the death of noted war correspondent Ernie Pyle.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Catherine French, his sister Marie Tolliver, and his grandson John Kurz.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Eisele, two daughters, Linda (Kevin) McFarland of Elkhart, Ind., and Susan (Randy) Cooper of Goshen, Ind., two sons, James (Elizabeth) French of Niles, and Steven (Verna) French of Buchanan, two brothers John and William French both of Niles, 10 grandchildren, Jason Kurz, Emma and Elyse Cooper, Ashley, Morgan, Emily, and Sarah French, and Kyle, Ryan, and Kristen McFarland, and four great-grandchildren, Breeana, Jason, and Samuel Kurz, and Harper McFarland.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013 at Hope Community Church in Niles. Visitation will be one hour before the service in the church. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Hoven Funeral Home, Inc. will be assisting the family with the arrangements.