Lloyd C. France, M.D.September 20, 1927 – November 19, 2016 PLYMOUTH – Lloyd C. France, M.D. 89, of Plymouth, IN, passed away Saturday evening, November 19, 2016 in the Center for Hospice Care, Elkhart, Indiana.                He was born on September 20, 1927 in Byron Center, Michigan to Paul J. and Dora H. (Hickox) France, the 5th of 6 children.                He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Mary Ann (Peterson) France whom he wed in Winter Park, FL on December 28, 1951; his two daughters, Michelle (Mike) Lyman of Osceola and Lisa France of Plymouth and four sisters; Ilah (Joe) Terpstra, Lorna (Nelson) Miller, Wilma (Len) Mulder, Doris (Jay) Biesbrock and sister-in-law, Marie (Merle) France.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Merle, and by his parents.                Lloyd's early formative years were spent during the Great Depression.  During grade school and high school, he excelled academically and was involved in many extracurricular activities, sports and various leadership roles in a number of student organizations.  During this time, he also helped out in the family business in addition to other jobs such as landscaping and paper delivery and also enjoyed spending time with friends and engaging in various hobbies.                Upon graduating from High School in 1945, with WWII still ongoing, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17.  During his service in the military, he graduated first in his class at Electronics School and became an instructor at The Great Lakes Naval Training Center until his honorable discharge in December of 1947.                After completing his service in the military, he attained an Associates Degree in Science with a straight A average at Grand Rapids Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Distinction at the University of Michigan.   He was accepted at the University of Michigan Medicine School in 1950 and was awarded permanent membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.  He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree with Distinction in 1954.  During his Pre-medical and medical training he supported himself with summer and vacation jobs and moonlighting weekends.  He became a General Practitioner for a year and in 1956 decided to become a surgeon which required an additional 4 year residency in General and Vascular Surgery which he completed at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan as well as additional training in Orthopedics.                Lloyd and his family moved to Plymouth Indiana in 1960 where he practiced General Surgery in association with fellow practitioner Dr. James Rimel for 41 years until retiring in September 1998.  During the years he practiced he introduced new techniques of fine suture repair and surgical treatment as well as introducing endoscopic procedures and performed the first successful operation in North Central Indiana for ruptured aortic aneurysm removal with graft replacement.  He also inserted the first 'permanent' cardiac pacemakers in Marshall County by opening the chest and suturing directly into the heart.  He served many years as the Chief of Surgery both a Parkview Hospital and later at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center – Plymouth Campus and several years as President of the Medical Staff of the Hospital as well as membership in the Indiana State Medical Association.                During this time he worshiped at the First United Methodist Church and was also active in community organizations such as Chamber of Commerce and United Way, sometimes as President and Drive Chairman and also as a Member of Board of Directors for organizations such as Lakeland Civic Music Association and Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation.                Lloyd was ever seeking to learn and grow, he gave a calm and strong support to all who knew him, always gracious and kind, a bright beacon of excellence, wisdom and stability.  He set a great example for us all and will be greatly missed by many.                Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 23rd from 4 – 7 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.  Services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, November 25th at 11 a.m. with Pastor Toni Carmer officiating.                A family burial service with Military Honors will take place on Saturday, November 26th in the Winchester Cemetery at Byron Center, Michigan.                Memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church 400 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN  46563.                Memories and notes of condolence may be sent to the family through the website:  www.johnson-danielson.com