Pastor Ivan H. French, 88, of Winona Lake, Ind., passed away at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at Grace Village Health Care Facility, Winona Lake.

Ivan was born April 14, 1925, in Ontario, Ore., to Harry French and Anna Maude (Wright) French. On Sept. 17, 1944, he was married to Arloeen Edith (Krause) French, who survives.

He was the pastor of Pleasant View Bible Church of Warsaw, Ind., from 1975-1992. After serving three churches, Professor Ivan French, taught for over 20 years at Grace College & Theological Seminary in Winona Lake.

He was known for his warm heart and humorous stories (what he called “illustrative anecdotes”) he taught Bible, theology and church history with both an academic knowledge and practical application.  His teaching infused a heart and energy for Christ and the church in the seminary program. During this time he continued to be active in pastoral ministry, campus leadership, global missions and Bible conferences, encouraging and strengthening the men and women he had helped to train.

He was a member of Independent Fundamental Churches of America, and was on the Board of Directors of Spanish World Ministries. Ivan also served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and was honorably discharged in May 1946.

Ivan is survived by his daughter: LaNita French, Warsaw; three sons: John (Christine) French, Winona Lake; David (Lori) French, Manila, Philippines; Douglas French, LaPorte, Ind.; and four grandchildren: Suzanne (Shawn) Osborne, Fort Wayne, Ind.; John David French, Winona Lake; Alexandra French, Manila, Philippines; Tobin French, Manila, Philippines.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters.

There will be visitation from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw. A graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Those wishing to attend should meet at the funeral home by 9:50 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery.

His funeral service will be at 12 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Pleasant View Bible Church, 2782 W. 200 N., Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor John French and Pastor Mike Hontz.