Carmi Times Mon Apr 20, 2009 Carmi, Ill. - Jerry French, 61, Carmi, died Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Ind. He was born Dec. 11, 1947, in Carmi, the son of Giltner and Tilda (Combs) French. He married Paula A. Hosman in Mt. Vernon, Ill., on Feb. 15, 1968, and she survives. Jerry was a Vietnam veteran and was awarded the purple heart and soldier's medal. He retired from Illinois Department of Natural Resources as an oil well inspector and had also worked on the railroad. He had been a Mason for many years, was a past commander and a lifetime member of Carmi VFW Post 3851 and was a member of Carmi American Legion Post 224. He attended the Maunie Methodist Church. Among his survivors are: a son, Michael W. (Kathleen) French of Carmi; two brothers, Marion (Betty) French of Carmi and Allen French of Baton Rouge, La.; four sisters, Margaret Proctor of Fairview, Okla., Marie York of Carmi, Leona (Carl) Julian of Carmi, and Jenny (Bob) Dedoming of Mt Vernon, Ind.; a granddaughter, Sidney French of Carmi; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by: his parents; a daughter, Shelley French; three brothers, Arnold, Clarence, and John French; two sisters, Kathryn Sandidge and Judy Duvall. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at Stendeback Family Funeral Home/Kittinger-Fair in Carmi. Visitation is from 5 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the funeral home chapel. Interment to follow the services at Kuykendall Cemetery in Carmi with military burial rites by the Carmi VFW and American Legion posts. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home. Condolences may be left on-line by visiting www.kittinger-fairfuneralhome.com.