Leonard Wayne French

L. Wayne French, 95, of Grand Island died Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at Country House Grand Island.



Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Monday, June 4, 2018 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Kelly Karges officiating. Burial will be at Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, June 3, 2018 from 5 to 7 pm at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to the Central Nebraska Humane Society. Apfel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.



L. Wayne French was born on November 11, 1922 at Firth, Nebraska, the son of Leonard and Tressie (Bouwens) French. Wayne entered the United States Marine Corps on May 13, 1943, serving in the south Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged on November 22, 1945.



Wayne was united in marriage to Dorothy Schrader on April 13, 1946. The couple lived in Grand Island. He was employed with the Nebraska State Patrol in 1946 and retired as Captain of Troop C in 1978 after 32 years of service.



Wayne spent his retirement years volunteering and giving back to the Grand Island Community. He received numerous awards and accolades for his service.



Wayne is survived by three sons, Steve (Dee) French, Stan (Kathy) French, and Sid (Penni) French, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson, brother Jack French and a sister Peggy Peterson-Pazzi.



Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, brothers Bob and Dick, sisters Leola and Margie.