SUNBURY — Joe French, 80, of Sunbury, died Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 at the home of his home in Westerville.

He was born on Oct. 4, 1936, in Princeton, West Virginia, the son of the late Cecil D. French and Viola Blanche (Thompson) Porter.

After graduating from high school in Charleston, West Virginia, Joe decided to enlist in the United States Air Force. A few months before deployment he had some very important business to attend to; marrying his high school sweetheart, Geneva Anderson. His service took him to South Korea where he was stationed in Seoul during the Korean War.

Joe worked for Anheuser Busch as a machinist for 25 years before retiring in 1998.

He was a member of the VFW Post in Sunbury and a past member of the Sunbury FOE.

Joe lived on the water and loved to fish. He'd take his boat out on Knox Lake any chance he got. Even when he wasn't fishing he was spending time outdoors; hunting or keeping up on his immaculate lawn were a couple of his other hobbies. He also raised Brittany Spaniel Bird Dogs.

In his down time, he enjoyed reading and watching anything history related.

Joe leaves a legacy of generosity. He was never shy about sharing with his family and friends. His wife will remember his quiet nature and the great relationship he shared with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, Geneva, he will be missed by their children, Lynn Mesaros and her husband Lew of Westerville, Rick and his wife Patty of Westerville, and David and his wife Candy of Dayton, Texas; five grandchildren, Heidi (Danny) Maurer, Stephanie Mesaros, Nikki French, Laura (Pat) Ludden, and Jared (Michelle) French; four great-grandchildren, Akeighla, Airyanna, Blaze, and Grayson; his sister, Cheryl Ebert and her husband Bob of Sunbury; and dear friends, Willie and Carolyn Weaver and their family.

Friends may call on the family on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, from 2-5 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, 637 North State Route 61, Sunbury, Ohio 43074. Funeral services will be held there on Monday at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors provided by the Delaware County Veteran's Association will follow in Kingwood Memorial Park in Lewis Center.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Children's Wish Foundation at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/childrenswish

The DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home of Sunbury is honored to serve Mr. French's family.

Special memories and condolences can be shared with them at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.