Obituary of Raymond French

RAYMOND DOUGLAS FRENCH STERLING - Mr. Raymond D. French, 92, formerly of Morrison, died Monday morning at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Raymond D. French was born on November 6, 1918 in Putnam, the son of Guy Russell and Sarah Maurine (Thomas) French. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1940. He married Betty Melvin in Morrison on January 16, 1982. Raymond served as a Captain in the 62nd and 405th Armored Field Artillery battalions in many key battles in Europe and North Africa during World War II, including the D-day invasion at Normandy, the invasion at Sicily, and battles at Tunisia, Northern France, Ardennes, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star medals. Raymond began his career with Country Companies/Country Financial in 1946. He became Agency Manager in McDonough County and later in Whiteside County. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Financial Planner and was inducted into the Country Companies Hall of Fame in 1992. Ray earned multiple awards during his 65 year career, including the National Quality Award, National Sales Achievement Award, Health Insurance Quality Award, and the All American, All Star and Master Agent awards. Raymond was a past President of the Macomb Rotary Club and the Morrison Rotary Club. He was also a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge, Whiteside County Farm Bureau, Sauk Valley College Foundation and Rock River Country Club. Ray was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Morrison. He was a reader, avid golfer and enthusiastic bridge player. He is survived by his wife, Betty Melvin French of Sterling; three daughters, Suzanne French Walrath (John) Effinger of Mesa, AZ, Kathryn French of Salt Lake City, UT, and Sheri French of Pine Island, MN; one son, John Douglas French of Bonita Springs, FL; one step-son, Ross G. (Linda) Melvin of Chattanooga, TN; six grandchildren, Nichol Walrath (Michael) DiDiacomo of Apache Junction, AZ, Shanna Walrath of San Diego, CA, Benjamin Quick of Tuscon, AZ, Keith Quick of Bend, OR, Angela Janda Goldstein of Santa Fe, NM, Jennifer Hanson of Pine Island, MN; three step-grandchildren, Stacey Melvin (Jim) Blackwell of Gardner, KS, Kelly Melvin (Jay) Jolley and Ross J. (Nadia) Melvin both of Chattanooga, TN; three great-grandchildren including one great-grand-daughter, Evelyn Walrath of San Diego, CA, and two great-grandsons Jacob DiGiacomo of Apache Junction, AZ, and Sage Quick of Tuscon, AZ; four step great-grandchildren, two great-grand-daughters, Jamie (Nathan) Atwood and Grace Olivia Jolley and two great-grandsons Jon Boldt and Ryan Blackwell and one great-great-granddaughter, Lillian Marie Atwood; two nieces, Elaine (Maurice) Simon Wolff and Martha Goenne (Scott) Bante; and two nephews, Lloyd (Barb) Simon and John Goenne. He was preceded in death by two sisters, two brothers, and one niece. Funeral services will be 11:30 AM Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Morrison with Reverend Christina Berry of the First Presbyterian Church in Sterling, officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service from 9:30-11:30 AM at the church. Burial will be private. A memorial has been established to the First Presbyterian Church in Morrison. Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.