MEADVILLE — Services for Leslie French Jr., 79, who died peacefully Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, surrounded by his family at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Greendale United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bobby Poole, the Rev. Tony Mullins and the Rev. Alvin Chaney officiating.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Franklin Funeral Home in Meadville.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the church.

Mr. French was a resident of Oldenburg community in Franklin County. He retired from teaching and coaching at St. Martin High School in Jackson County. After retirement he enjoyed supporting Franklin County High School sports. He and his buddies knew the best restaurants everywhere Franklin County played football.

Mr. French was so well respected as a coach that the baseball field at St. Martin High School was named the Les French Field.

He served in the U.S. Army and lived a life of love for his fellowman and God’s animals.

Mr. French was a faithful member of Greendale United Methodist Church throughout his life. An avid gardener, he enjoyed sharing his harvest with the congregation and the community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Rosa Lee Lehmann French.

Survivors include one sister, Rose Marie Luke and husband, Royce, of Gautier; one nephew, R.B. Luke and wife, Sarah, of Cary, N.C.; and one niece, Melanie Noland and husband, Patrick, of North Grafton, Mass.

Pallbearers will be M.L. Bonds, Larry Rollins, Glenn Twiner, Jim Westbrook, Jimmy Davis and R.B. Luke.