Leonard E. French, 93, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024, at Brookdale Senior Living, Great Bend, Kan. He was born Aug. 8, 1930, in rural Barton County, to Charles and Olive (Hejny) French. On Sept. 23, 1951, he married Ruth Anna Andree; she passed on Nov. 27, 1988. He then married Luanne Joy (Lebsack) Scheuerman on Jan. 25, 1992. She passed on July 2, 2023.
Leonard was a 1947 graduate of Otis-Bison High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he was later deployed as a Hospital Corpsman with the First Marine Division for the Inch’ŏn Landing during the Korean War. After marrying his wife and receiving an honorable discharge, he continued his education at Fort Hays State University, receiving a degree in Business Administration and Accounting. Leonard worked as a large case auditor for the U.S. Treasury Internal Revenue Service, initially based out of Wichita. He also spent time in Hutchinson and Salina before returning to Wichita, where he retired in 1988.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, V.F.W. Post 3111, and Masonic Lodge #15. Leonard was a great carpenter, avid bowler, and vegetable gardener. He loved supporting his sons in their sports activities by coaching little league baseball and later attending their high school football practices and games – Mike at Salina Central, Jeff and Kelly at Goddard. Later in life, he enjoyed playing blackjack, craps, and poker; cooking; telling Dad/Grandpa jokes; and watching KU Basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Most importantly, he was a true caregiver of his family.
Survivors include three sons, Mike French and wife Patti of Pueblo West, Colo., Jeff French of Overland Park, Kan., and Kelly French of Lawrence, Kan.; four grandchildren, Laura Savage and husband Frank, Jamie Mull and husband Nathan, Jordan French and significant other Casey Mathes, and Andrew French and wife Amanda; seven great grandchildren, Raeann Savage, Leah, Penny, Isaac, and Luke Mull, Eli Mathes, and Viviana French; Luanne’s family – daughter, Christine Hawkins and husband John of Wichita, Kan.; grandchildren, Ashley Kerr and husband Jason and Sam Hawkins and wife Ann; and five great grandchildren, Braxton, Kyler and Weston Kerr and Andrew and Josie Hawkins.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks and gratitude to the staff at Brookdale Senior Living for the attention, care, and friendship they gave Dad during his stay there, and thanks to Gentiva Hospice Care for their special assistance during his final days.
Cremation has taken place. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials have been designated to VFW Post #3111 or First United Methodist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Rd.
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 13, 2024
