Victor was born September 16, 1926 at Connorsville, Dunn County, Wisconsin to Evan Newell and Amelia (Talmadge) French.  The French family moved to the Ridgeland area in the spring of 1941.  Victor attended and graduated from Prairie Farm High School in 1944, where he participated in boxing, baseball and football.  He enlisted in the Army in 1945, and served during WWII being honorably discharged in 1946.  He was called up with the 32nd Division in 1961 and 1962 during the Berlin/Cuban Missile Crisis, being stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.

After serving in WWII, he hauled milk to the Connorsville Creamery, and was an over the road trucker.  From 1947 to 1957, he hauled milk to the Barron Cooperative Creamery.  In 1958, until his retirement 28 years later, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service.  In retirement, Victor worked for the Office of Aging delivering Meals on Wheels for the Barron County Health and Human Services Department and BC Sheriff Dick Miller, driving in excess of 200,000 miles in those 17 years.  He also drove many years for Swant Brothers Motors, picking up and delivery of new vehicles. 

Victor married Phyllis May Lee on June 20, 1952.

He was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church in Barron and a proud member of the American Legion for over 60 years.  He was a past Adjutant and Post Commander of the Brown-Selvig American Legion Post 212 in Barron. 

Victor trusted Jesus Christ as a savior July 10, 1970. He often said the two best things I ever did was when I was saved and when I married Phyllis.

Victor is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Barron; children, Debbie (Brian) Heldt of Harrleysville, PA and Jeff (Pam) French of Barron; grandchildren, Charissa Fine, David Heldt, Peter Heldt, Jeff French, Tim French; 12 great-grandchildren; and also, many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Newell Evan French in 1992; and grandson, Andrew Heldt.  In retirement, Newell and Victor trucked over the road together, he cherished these memories of spending time with his only brother.  Or as the family called them “the boys”. 

Funeral services for Victor French will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Barron with Rev. John Terpstra officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron and one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at the church.  Burial will be at Wayside Cemetery in Barron with military honors accorded by the Barron American Legion Post 212 and Barron VFW Post 8338. 

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron, Wisconsin. 

Last Update: Oct 24, 2019 7:18 am CDT