Ralph Harold French, age 81, of Maryville, Illinois, formerly of Florissant, Missouri, passed away at 8:22 a.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at his residence.
He was born June 18, 1937, in St. Louis, the son of the late Emmett & Aurelia (Klein) French. He worked as an Expeditor at National Vendor Supply in St. Louis for many years. Ralph married Virginia D. Weir in May of 1962, she preceded him in death on January 10, 1999.
He is survived by a son, Ralph Paul French & wife Wanda of Corpus Christi, Texas; a daughter, Christine Rimkus & husband Mark of Edwardsville; his fiancé Patricia Siddens of Maryville; eight grandchildren, Amanda Bitz & husband Nathan, Sandra Warner & husband David, Stuart Barton, Suzanna Henke & husband Mat, Jessica Richter & husband Adam, Matthew Rimkus, Allysa Rimkus, Zachery Rimkus; four great grandchildren, Ryker Henke, Ethan Bitz, Hunter Bitz, Alexis Warner and one sister Rose Upton & husband Bob of Holly Lake Ranch, TX.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Emmett & Russell French.
Ralph proudly served in the U. S. Marine Corp from October 1954 to October 1957 and was an avid bowler.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11: 00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Mary’s with Fr. Dan Bergbower officiating.
Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis with military honors.
The family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society or masses.
Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.
