Esmer French

Esmer French, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025. His life was a testament to his dedication to family, friends, church and any stranger that needed help.

Esmer was born on August 7, 1933, in Berea, Kentucky. He grew up in Hamilton, Ohio where he learned the values of hard work and perseverance. Esmer attended Mount Vernon Academy where he worked on a farm to pay for his education. A Christian education was very important to him. He also attended Dale Carnegie courses and had some college courses in business management.

Esmer was very proud to be a Korean War veteran. He was stationed in Anchorage Alaska. After completing his education, Esmer pursued a career in business management. He worked at Cleveland Steel Products, where he made significant money-saving contributions. His forward thinking caught the attention of a subsidiary of Cleveland Steel in Jackson Michigan. He moved his family to Battle Creek Michigan in 1964. Esmer’s outgoing personality eventually landed him a sales position as a Dodge Boy under Don Harris. He decided to open his own car business in 1967. French’s Auto Sales, “Wheels You Can Depend On”. The business has remained open until his passing.

Esmer was a devoted family man. He married Emma Lee Burrus on June 17, 1956. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love and forgiveness. They had three daughters, Cheryl Mapes, Amy Hinton and Julie Wright. Esmer always made sure to take family vacations and spent Sabbath afternoons on family picnics and bike rides in warm weather. He had the opportunity to learn arial photography while in Alaska. That resulted in his lifelong love of photography. Esmer was a self-taught guitar and banjo player. He loved playing music with family and friends. He also loved going on motorcycle trips with Emma Lee and other couples.

Esmer was a member of the Battle Creek Seventh Day Adventist Church and cared deeply about witnessing for Jesus. He was always asking friends and family to church and attended Bible study. He also loved the Churches visitation program and was faithful in that ministry until his health prevented it. He really looked forward to his Church family coming to visit him in the end. His life touched the lives of countless individuals that he won’t fully realize until resurrection day. He was truly a good Samaritan.

Esmer was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Steven Mapes Arrendondo, granddaughter, Lacy Hamilton, son-in-law Steve W. Mapes and his beloved wife, Emma Lee French.

He is survived by daughters, Cheryl Mapes, Amy Hinton and Julie Wright. Grandchildren, Alisa (Chris) Cronkite, Emily (Neko) Mapes, Amanda (Jared) Mapes, Daniel (Alexandria) Mapes, Torren Mapes, Taiyah Mapes, Lauren Hinton, Natalie (Sal) Aguilar, Matthew Wright. He also had 12 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at The Battle Creek Seventh Day Adventist Tabernacle, 264 W. Michigan Avenue, on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Battle Creek Academy in Esmer's honor.

Esmer French will be deeply missed, but his memory will forever remain with us. May he rest in peace until resurrection day. Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home and Cremation Services www.henryfuneralhome.org