James E. French, 50 of Coldwater died unexpectedly, Monday, September 6, 2010 at The Community Health Center of Branch County.


A service will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with Pastor Patrick O. Baughman from Northview Christian Church officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, September 10, 2010 from 4 - 8:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home.


Jim was born July 23, 1960 in Coldwater to Elizabeth (Pengelly) French. He married Joanne Wyss on August 18, 1979 in Coldwater. Mr. French worked for 26 years at Western Consolidated Technologies in Fremont, IN and was currently employed for the past 5 years by Putnam Machine Products in Coldwater. He was a skilled “handyman” who could keep anything working with a garage full of tools and a use for them all. He was also gifted in woodworking, having built an array of different items for various people. Jim was a member of the Tri-County Bike Association in Lansing with a great passion for bicycle riding. Among his many rides, he was most proud of the 1 day ride across Michigan and being the first to cross the finish line. Jim had just completed 5500 miles for the 2010 bicycle season, hoping to reach 6000 miles total. He competed in many races, but Time Trials were his favorite. He was known by many as “the man who walked on Old US 27,” rain or shine 5 - 6 miles a day. Jim was a devoted family man and thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent together with his family and friends.

James is survived by his wife Joanne, his daughter Kathleen (Katy) French of Ft. Wayne, his son Daniel & Jennifer French of Juneau, WI, his mother and step father Elizabeth & R. Eldred Dobson of Allen, his brothers Philip French of Detroit, Robert (Beverly) French of Quincy, R. Lon ( Angie) Dobson of Hiram, OH, his sister Jennifer Dobson of St. Johns, his granddaughter Ainsley French and special family friend Katey O. Lenhardt of Coldwater.


He was preceded in death by his grandmother Catherine Pengelly.


Memorials may be directed to the Tri-County Bike Assoc - to benefit children in Jim‘s memory or St. Jude‘s Childrens Hospital.