Obituary for Arthur Harry French
Arthur (Art) Harry French age 79 of Ann Arbor MI passed away Saturday December 28, 2019 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
Art was born on February 24, 1940 in Ann Arbor MI to the late Harry and Marion (Graf) French. Art graduated from Ann Arbor High School and went on to graduate from Eastern Michigan University. Art also served in the U.S Air Force Reserve from 1963 to 1969. Art took over the family business French Insurance that he enjoyed for 55 years.
On September 11, 1976 Art married Katherine (Kathy) A. Rempp at Bethlehem Church in Ann Arbor MI. In 1979 Art and Kathy welcomed their only child, Chandler. Over the years between the business and his family Art and Kathy managed to make time to visit relatives in Germany on multiple occasions and they stayed close throughout the years.
Art was a people person and enjoyed many things in life, his 1911 Ann Arbor automobile which he enjoyed taking to many car shows, he enjoyed traveling to Germany, St. Barthelemy and Maine just to name a few. Art also belonged to many organizations, he was a Life Member and Past President of the Schwaben Verein of Ann Arbor where he was president for 36 years, and was also a member of the Schwaben Verein of Toledo. He was a life member of Ann Arbor Fraternity Lodge #262 F. & A.M., Order of Eastern Star #119, Zal Gaz Grotto #34, G.B.U. Fraternal Life #630, German Park Rec. Club, N.R.A., Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, Antique Automobile Club, and Horseless Carriage Club. He also served as the past president of the Ann Arbor Ski Club. He also enjoyed going out for meals, he ate breakfast at Mark’s Coney Island, Washtenaw Dairy and Bells Diner and at night he could be found at either Metzgers or Knights Restaurants.
Art is survived by his son Chandler (Julie) and two grandsons Alex French and Tyler Trumbley all of Sault Ste. Marie MI. Nieces: Jaydene Morris-Wagner and Janelle Morris and nephews Jerry and James Morris. Many other cousins and close family in the United States and Germany. And all of Art’s friends and neighbors whom he loved dearly like family he enjoyed spending time with all of you.
Art was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Katherine, his sister Marilyn and her husband Donald Morris.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home on Liberty Rd. 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday January 16, 2020, and 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday January 17, 2020. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Washtenong Memorial Park at 12:00 p.m. immediately following family and friends will gather at German Park Rec Club please join us in remembering Art.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum.
Art was born on February 24, 1940 in Ann Arbor MI to the late Harry and Marion (Graf) French. Art graduated from Ann Arbor High School and went on to graduate from Eastern Michigan University. Art also served in the U.S Air Force Reserve from 1963 to 1969. Art took over the family business French Insurance that he enjoyed for 55 years.
On September 11, 1976 Art married Katherine (Kathy) A. Rempp at Bethlehem Church in Ann Arbor MI. In 1979 Art and Kathy welcomed their only child, Chandler. Over the years between the business and his family Art and Kathy managed to make time to visit relatives in Germany on multiple occasions and they stayed close throughout the years.
Art was a people person and enjoyed many things in life, his 1911 Ann Arbor automobile which he enjoyed taking to many car shows, he enjoyed traveling to Germany, St. Barthelemy and Maine just to name a few. Art also belonged to many organizations, he was a Life Member and Past President of the Schwaben Verein of Ann Arbor where he was president for 36 years, and was also a member of the Schwaben Verein of Toledo. He was a life member of Ann Arbor Fraternity Lodge #262 F. & A.M., Order of Eastern Star #119, Zal Gaz Grotto #34, G.B.U. Fraternal Life #630, German Park Rec. Club, N.R.A., Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, Antique Automobile Club, and Horseless Carriage Club. He also served as the past president of the Ann Arbor Ski Club. He also enjoyed going out for meals, he ate breakfast at Mark’s Coney Island, Washtenaw Dairy and Bells Diner and at night he could be found at either Metzgers or Knights Restaurants.
Art is survived by his son Chandler (Julie) and two grandsons Alex French and Tyler Trumbley all of Sault Ste. Marie MI. Nieces: Jaydene Morris-Wagner and Janelle Morris and nephews Jerry and James Morris. Many other cousins and close family in the United States and Germany. And all of Art’s friends and neighbors whom he loved dearly like family he enjoyed spending time with all of you.
Art was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Katherine, his sister Marilyn and her husband Donald Morris.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home on Liberty Rd. 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday January 16, 2020, and 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday January 17, 2020. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Washtenong Memorial Park at 12:00 p.m. immediately following family and friends will gather at German Park Rec Club please join us in remembering Art.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum.