Joseph French

PAINTON, Mo. -- Joseph Wayne French, 76, of Painton was called to heaven Tuesday, June 28, 2022. A lifelong farmer, Joseph worked his fields right up until his final battle with cancer and passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Joe was born Nov. 8, 1945, in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Wayne and Libby Painton French. After graduating from Bell City (Missouri) School, Joe received his agriculture degree from Murray State University-Kentucky. He served in the Missouri National Guard for 10 years. He was an active member of the St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Advance, Missouri.

Ever since the age of 5, Joe was around tractors, and in his later years he became an enthusiast of antique tractors. He was a member of antique tractor clubs and participated in antique tractor rides. He also had a passion for fast cars and motorcycles; was cool...but then he had kids. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan/critic. If Joe were to give you a hard time, that meant he liked you.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Cynthia Elfrink French, and four children, Andrew (Holly) French of Gordonville, Jeremy (Katy) French of Jackson, Amy (Chance) French-White of Benton, Missouri, and Jonathan (Amber) French of Cape Girardeau. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Sydney French, Alex French, Mya French, Anson French, Jace French, Genevieve French, Truman White, Tennyson White and August French. Other survivors include sisters-in-law, Mary Trent and Norma Bohnsack; brothers-in-law, Dale Bohnsack and James Sindle; and many nieces and nephews.

Recitation of the rosary will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance, followed by visitation from 5 to 8 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church in Advance. Internment will be at St. Anthony Cemetery in Glennon, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Parish, P.O. Box 640, Advance, MO 63730, or a charity of your choice.