Randy French

RANDALL WAYNE FRENCH, 56 of Arcola, IL passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer at 5:25 A.M. on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday, February 29, 2016 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main, Arcola, IL. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Edwards Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Humboldt Cemetery. Casual attire is required; camo, Harley or flannel shirt with jeans would be fine.

Randy was born on September 12, 1959 in Effingham, IL. He was the son of Larry D. and Linda L. (Whightsel) French. He married Lisa R. Rogers on August 3, 1990 in Charleston, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa of Arcola, IL, three children, Heather Tolen and her husband Andrew of Trilla, IL, Josh Rogers and his wife Chelsea of Decatur, IL and Sydnee French of Arcola, IL, six granddaughters, Aliyah, Taylor, Kaylee, Ashton, Linden and London, his mother Linda Chaney of Mattoon, IL, one brother, Jeff French of Charleston, IL, two sisters, Angie Ritter and her husband Tim and Pam Beals and her husband Mike all of Mattoon, IL, his father-in-law, Ervin Crist and his wife Bev of Arthur, IL and several nieces, nephews and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his father, Larry French who died when Randy was 5 years old, his step-father, Herb Chaney who raised Randy from a young age, one granddaughter, MaKenzee Jo Rogers and his mother-in-law, Judy Crist.

Randy had worked at Trailmobile, Home Depot and Arthur Custom Tank.

He was the happiest when he was hanging out in his garage. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting, re-storing his Harley and watching NASCAR. His favorite motto was “It’ll Be Alright!” He loved spending time with his granddaughters, whom they affectionately called “Papa Randy”.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Randy’s family.

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