Charles R. French Jr., 79, North Manchester, passed away at 8:04 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester.

Charles was born on Aug. 13, 1936, in Tipton County, to Charles and Clara (Atkission) French Sr. He graduated from Laketon High School in 1954. After high school, Charles attended Manchester College for three and a half years. Then went on to attended Garrett Seminary, Evanston, Ill., for two years and graduated as a Deacon. On April 4, 1981, Charles married Cathy Kuhn. Charles worked for Peabody Seating, North Manchester, for seven years, Eaton Controls for 28 years in various managerial positions. In 1997 he retired.

Charles was a United Methodist Pastor for 23 years, serving at Paw Paw United Methodist in Miami County; Jalapa United Methodist, Grant County; South Pleasant United Methodist, Wabash County; Salem United Methodist, Huntington County; and Ijamsbille United Methodist Church, Wabash County. Charles was a member of the North Manchester Rotary Club and engineering society. He was also a member of the North Manchester United Methodist Church, North Manchester.

Charles is survived by his wife: Cathy French, North Manchester; six sons: John (Linda) French, North Manchester; Tom (Janet) French, North Manchester; Mike (Mary) French, Angola; Eric (Colleen) French, South Whitley; Kurt (Rhonda) Henderson, Roann; and Kevin (Anita) Henderson, North Manchester; five daughters: Rebecca (Eldon) Cook, North Manchester; Susan (Jerry) Graybeal, Johnson City, Tenn.; Christine (Gary) Vanlandingham, Hartford, Mich.; Teresa (Ray) Allison, Goshen; and JoEtta (Keith) Herrmann, North Manchester; two brothers: Kent (Judy) French, Silver Lake; Bennie (Debra) French, Claypool; two sisters: Nancy (Bill) Bell, Wabash; Penny (Joe) Deal, North Manchester; 35 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter: Jessica Thompson, who passed in 2001.

Friends and family may call from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday at the North Manchester United Methodist Church. Service will at 10 a.m. Friday, April 29, at the North Manchester United Methodist Church, 306 East Second Street, North Manchester. Pastors Mark Eastway, Larry Ray, and David Mills will officiate. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester, following the service.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Charles R. French Jr., memorial contributions can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation or the North Manchester United Methodist Church.