Obituaries

Willard G. France

July 10th, 1927 – November 25th, 2019

Willard Galen France, age 92 of Astoria, IL, passed away at 3:00 pm Monday, November 25, 2019 at his home. He was born on July 10, 1927 in Astoria, the son of Glen D. and Verna (Brillhart) France. Willard married Roberta Mansfield. He later married Margaret "Peg" Dean in 1984. She preceded him in death on April 18, 2018.

Also preceding Willard in death was his parents, his brother and sister in-law, Willis and Joan France and his brother-in-law Victor Danner.

He is survived by his son, Joe (and Tana) France of Astoria and his daughters, Teresa (and Rick) Blythe of Springfield, IL and Janine (and Steve) Danner of Astoria. Also surviving are two step-sons, Steve (and Carol) Dean and Scott (and Brenda) Dean, both of Astoria, one step-daughter Kathy (and Bob) Bridges of Astoria, 4 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 21 step-great-grandchildren, and his sister Dorothy Danner of Decatur, IL.

Willard served in the US Navy as a Seabee. He retired from AMAX Sunspot Mine in Vermont, IL. He also farmed and enjoyed woodworking.

He was a member of the Astoria American Legion Post #25, the United Mine Workers of America, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Havana, IL.

Services will be held on Friday, November 29th at 2:00 pm at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Pastor Kevin Wendorf will officiate. Visitation will begin 1 hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Astoria Cemetery with military rites provided by the Astoria American Legion Post #25. Memorials may be given to the Astoria American Legion Post #25 or the Astoria Fire and Rescue Squad.

Condolences

November 27th, 2019

Sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all
Lots of memories as neighbors for years
From all us Malott Families

November 27th, 2019

So sorry to hear of Willard’s passing.hug and prayers to you all. Sorry we are not in Illinois but thinking of you.

November 27th, 2019

Willard will be greatly missed. He was a great neighbor.Rod & Ruth Simpson

November 27th, 2019

So sorry for your loss. He was a great person and will be missed. Alan and Georgiana Clemens

November 27th, 2019

Hugs, blessings and condolences for a wonderful man. He will be missed. Nancy Lane

November 27th, 2019

So sorry for your loss. Brad and Tina Batterton

November 27th, 2019

Truly a special person. Riley & Sally Lane

November 27th, 2019

The families and friends of Willard France have lost another outstanding member of their lives. To all,my deepest sympathy. May memories of the good times carry you though your time of sorrow. He will be missed. Sandra K Yocum

November 27th, 2019

My sympathies to all the families.

November 27th, 2019

So sorry to hear of Willards death. He was a good man. Hugs & prayers to all. Mark & Mary S Clayton

November 27th, 2019

We are very sorry for your loss mom was very sad to hear that Willard passed. Our prayers are with all of you. Glenna Parry and Tammy Baldry

November 27th, 2019

So Sorry for your loss. Sending my Thoughts and Prayers 🙏 for All of the Family's. Sue Palmer & Family

November 27th, 2019

So sorry for the loss he was a great man Sadly missed

November 27th, 2019

We were so sad to hear of Willard and his recent passing. He was such a caring individual whom always thought of others first. Nail and I always enjoyed visiting with him during the Holidays. Prayers for all of the family during this difficult time.

November 27th, 2019

So sorry for your loss.
Mike and Linda Blemler

November 27th, 2019

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort and peace at this time of loss. Kathy Cox

November 27th, 2019

Sincere sympathy to all the France family. Special thoughts for Danny & Lacey. So sorry for your loss. Gary & Cheryl (Cox) Matteson, Vermont, IL

November 27th, 2019

We are so sorry to learn of Willard’s passing - what a good man.
Willard knew so much about the Summum/Astoria area and Mike always enjoyed visiting with him about their shared history.
Willard was always so nice to donate some of his beautiful wooden handmade pieces to our annual P.E.O. Silent Auction.
We’re in AZ and am so sorry we won’t be able to attend his service. Please know your family is in our prayers.
Karen & MIke Snedeker

November 27th, 2019

So very sorry to see that Willard has passed. He was as a very kind gentleman and I feel blessed to have met him. Much love and sympathies to you, his family.

November 27th, 2019

Sending prayers for peace and hoping your beautiful memories will comfort you. In sympathy, Patsy Henson

November 28th, 2019

So sorry for your loss. He was a good neighbor. Penny Collins

November 28th, 2019

Sorry for your loss! Jimmy and Debbie Derry

November 28th, 2019

We are so sorry for your loss. Jodie and Robbin Kost

November 29th, 2019

We are so saddened to hear of Willard's passing. He was such a personal person. So enjoyable to visit with him about farming, AMAX and the community. He was such an inspiration on how to handle life issues. He is and will be missed. Our thought's and condolence's !

Harley and Kay Curless

November 29th, 2019

Sincere condolences to the family of Willard. God be with you during this time of sorrow and always. JB & Norma Onion

November 29th, 2019

So sorry for the loss of Willard. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Robert and Susan Cameron

December 1st, 2019

Very sorry to hear about cousin Willards passing. Did not see each other often but it was always great when we did. My condolences to my cousin Dorothy France Danner. Lee R. France, Fredericksburg, Virginia.