J. French

Joseph Edward French, age 92 years of Niles, Michigan died at 6:10 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2016 at Lakeland Hospital – Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on June 11, 1924 in South Bend, Indiana to Frank G. and Irene (Wood) French. He graduated from Niles High School, served in the United States Army Air Corps, and was a Veteran of World War II.

Ed has lived in Niles all of his life, and was the fourth consecutive generation of the French family to lead the French Paper Company which was established in 1871. French Paper has continued to the sixth generation, and is the oldest family-owned manufacturing firm in the State of Michigan. Many organizations and activities in Niles have benefited from the success of French Paper and its employees.

Surviving family includes Ed’s children, JoAnn (& John) McCahill, Janine (& David) Sharrard; Jerry (& Terry) French, and Linda Vite; eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and Ed’s sister, Andrea Eavey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a sister, Marilyn Bailey.

The family of Ed French gathered privately at his graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.