NORTH VERNON
Irvin Leo French, 79, of North Vernon, passed away at 1:04 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility in Columbus.
Born Feb. 27, 1937, in Seymour, he was the son of Lawrence Jesse and Martha Elsner French, both of whom preceded him in death. On Feb. 6, 1960, in Immenhausen, Germany, he married Ingrid Assmann, who survives.
Mr. French was a 1955 graduate of Seymour High School, a 1964 graduate of Franklin College and earned his master’s degree from Indiana University in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army Security Agency from 1957-1960. Mr. French was an entrepreneur and former owner of Onsite Energy in New York and Onspot of North America in North Vernon. Mr. French also worked for Cummins Engine Co. in Columbus and was the owner of Cummins Metro Power in Bronx, New York, from 1972-91. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Four Corners and the Knights of Columbus Council 10422 at St. Joseph Church. His hobbies were fishing and playing golf.
Surviving with his wife of 56 years are sons, Patrick French of Miller Place, New York, Mike French of Huntington, New York, and Dennis French of Ridge, New York; brother, Larry (Terri) French of North Vernon; sister, Judy (Jerry) Carmer of Seymour; grandchildren, Danielle French and Katie French, both of Northport, New York, Casey French of Baltimore, Maryland, Mike (Michelle) French of Huntington, New York, Ashley (Ryan) Stursberg of East Patchogue, New York and Dennis French and Iris French, both of Ridge, New York; and a great-grandchild, Alexander French of East Patchogue, New York.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Margot French.
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church at Four Corners with the Rev. Jerry Byrd and the Rev. C. Ryan McCarthy officiating and Deacon Larry French assisting. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Memorials may be made to Our Hospice of Jennings County.
Messages of condolence to the family may be made at dovesharprudicel.com.