RITA FRENCH

SPENCERVILLE — Rita R. French, 89, of rural Delphos, passed away peacefully in the Lima Memorial Health System at 6:17 PM Tuesday, April 11, 2017 . She was a resident of the Roselawn Manor in Spencerville.

She was born August 21, 1927 in Delphos, a daughter of Lewis A. and Ruth V. Stepleton Etgen, who are deceased. On September 16, 1944 she married Willie Boyd "Bill" French, who died February 2, 1998.

Surviving are 3 children; William B. (Luella) French of Spencerville; Robert L. (Myra) French of rural Cridersville and Donald P. (Angela Burgei) French of rural Delphos; two step-sons; Clifford French of Georgia and Jerry French of Florida; her son-in-law; William "Bill" Grigsby of Spencerville; 13 grand; 22 great grand children and one great great granddaughter; four siblings; Mary (Charles) Flanagan of Delphos; Lewis (Barbara) Etgen of Elida; Oscar (Martha) Etgen of Huntsville and Ralph (Joyce) Etgen of Elida.

Rita was preceded in death by her daughter; Marjorie M. Grigsby and three siblings; infant Anthony Etgen; Elizabeth "Betty" Elsea, her brother-in-law Ralph Elsea and Leo (Glenna) Etgen.

She was a 1944 graduate of Shawnee High School and retired in 1982 as a press operator at Good Year Tire and Rubber Company in St. Marys.

She was a member of the Van Wert / Delphos Eagles Auxiliary; a life member of Bowersock Bros. VFW Auxiliary in Spencerville; the DAV Auxiliary in Lima and the Lima Senior Citizens.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville with Rev. Andrew J. Atkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Hartford Cemetery, Northeast of Spencerville.

The family will receive friends from 2/4 and 6/8 PM Friday at the funeral home, where the VFW Auxiliary will conduct a memorial service at 8 PM Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donors choice. Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com