Florence was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and wonderful friend to many. She had an infectious smile, a beautiful laugh and lived her life enjoying her family, friends and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards, walks, shopping, crocheting, and reading. Florence loved caring for her flowers and plants. Her angel food cake and apple pie were requested desserts at family gatherings. She was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Belleville, IL. Florence worked as an election judge for many years. She was also a member of Moose Lodge.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Durrel E. French, who died on July 6, 2011; her parents, George and Mary, nee Luebke, Wobbe; six siblings, Elsie (George) Netemeyer, Regina (Vincent) Thien, Leona (Martin) Toennies, Edwin Wobbe, Maria (Fred) Breiner, and Dorothy (Ray) Singler; and three sister-in-laws, Evelyn Scott, Ianza Reaka, and Delores Kinsman.
Surviving are her two daughters, Durrelene (Gary) Witkus and Pamela (Don) Herbeck, both of Millstadt, IL;
four grandchildren, Jarrod (Shannon) Witkus, Eric (Amy) Witkus, Kimberly (Brad) Murray, and Lindsey Herbeck;
six great-grandchildren, Alexis Dale Herbeck, Madelynn Kayden Witkus, Rohyn Marcus Witkus, Maxwell Joseph Murray,
Ava Jane Witkus, and Lydia Sue Murray;
a brother, Louie (Ange) Wobbe of Damiansville, IL;
two sisters, Stella Stempel of New Baden, and Rena Hakke of Germantown, IL;
and nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Freeburg Care Center and Hospice of Southern Illinois for providing such wonderful and loving care for Florence.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2017, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A funeral procession will leave at 9:45 a.m. Friday, December 15, 2017, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Teresa Catholic Church, with Father Jim Thomas officiating.
Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.