Donald France

Donald C. France, 80, of Battle Creek, Michigan, went to be with the Lord March 3, 2012, at his home surrounded by family. Don was born February 6, 1932, in Monterey, Tennessee, the son of late Ola and M.C. France. On November 27, 1954, 58 years ago, he married his wife, June (DeGroot), who survives. Don served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a training instructor for Aircraft Crash Rescue. After his discharge, he was employed by local floor covering companies and then he started his own business, Emmett Carpet & Supply. Later he worked for the Federal Government, General Services Administration, until his retirement. He had attended Battle Creek Friends Church, Dexter Lake Church, and Four Corners Church. His passion was motorcycles - building, repairing, and riding them. He won many trials riding events, and in his retirement he began rebuilding classic Honda 50 mini dirt bikes. His last project was making a sidecar for a little Honda 50 mini. Yet, his greatest passion was taking his wife on adventures throughout the US on his Honda Goldwing 1800.  Don was a fun, hard-working, honest, and kind man. But those who knew him best mostly described him as “cool.” His family proudly nicknamed him “The Fonz.” He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Betty (France) and Louis Walter of Battle Creek, MI; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joy (DeGroot) and Joe Mazurek of St. Johns, MI; daughter, Laura France of Battle Creek, MI; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly Anderson and Kevin Lueders currently of Dubai, UAE; and grandson Chase Anderson of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces and nephews who were each special to Don. He was preceded in death by his son, Donald France II, at 16; and his sister, Marian Boyer. Visitation will be held at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home Wednesday March 7th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm, and the funeral service is Thurs. March 8th at 1pm. The burial will take place at Floral Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to American Cancer Society.

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