Clara Ann French's Obituary
Decatur-Clara Ann French, 80, of Decatur passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012 in St. Mary's Hospital.
Visitation to celebrate Clara's life will be from 9-10:30 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2400 S. Franklin St. Decatur, with Fr. Joe Molloy, Celebrant. Burial with 'Flight Home' Ceremony will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Holy Family School or the Alzheimer's Association.
Clara was born April 9, 1932 in Breese, Illinois, the daughter of Fred and Pauline (Seelhoefer) Gebke. Her sister Rose and her chose to be in the restaurant business with the Lebanon Inn in Lebanon, Illinois. They made many friends there. She married Basil French February 20, 1952 in Lebanon. After marriage she stayed at home and took good care of her husband and four sons until her sons were out of high school. Then she worked at St. Mary's Hospital for a few years. Later she worked in child care. She was a charter member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
She leaves behind her husband Basil of Decatur, sons Larry French and wife Pam of Carson City, Nevada, Jeff French and wife Denise of Decatur, Philip French of Normal, and Ron French and wife Donna of Omaha, Nebraska, sister Rose Alexander of Melbourne, Florida, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the nurses and staff on the 2nd and 7th floor at St. Mary's Hospital for all of their loving care.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend to all who met her. We will all miss her greatly.
The family of Clara Ann French is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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