Marguerite Heinze French, age 100, of O'Fallon, Ill., born December 30, 1919 in Fennville, Michigan, passed away in her sleep on July 24, 2020 after years of advanced Alzheimer's.

She is predeceased by her husband, Roderick T. French, who passed away August 11, 2017 at the age of 99. Both lived long, active lives at Colonnade Senior Living in O'Fallon, which provided a safe and supporting environment in the last years of their lives. She outlived three sisters, Florence, Marie, and Marion; and parents, Otto and Edith Miller Heinze.

After finishing high school in 1939, Marguerite left the Heinze family farm to support the war effort making ball-bearings. Her high school sweetheart, Rod French, enlisted in the Air Force in 1942. After completing B-17 training, he made a long-distance marriage proposal in 1943 and she accepted. Brave Marguerite made her first train ride from Chicago to Fresno, California on a dedicated troop carrier. With great courage, she saw him off to Kimbolton, England, where he flew 33 B-17 missions over Germany.

In 1944, when Rod returned in good health, Marguerite introduced him to their new daughter, Patricia. Marguerite eagerly accepted the challenges of being an officer's wife with another baby soon on the way. Living in five states and two overseas assignments in Labrador and Okinawa, Marguerite polished her skills in moving and packing, settling kids in school, and entertaining with an instant buffet. Without experience or training, she passionately shared her techniques with other officers' wives.

Surviving are her daughter, Patricia French, and her son, Rick (Ellen) French; grandchildren Thorston Tichenor (Julie Durkee), Joshua French, and Chad (Aime) French; great-grandchildren Daniel and Sophia Tichenor; son-in-law Peter Tichenor; and brother-in-law Loren (Thomasina) French.

Once it is safer to travel and gather, memorial services will be held.