Dean French, 83, passed away December 12, 2020 at Bluffton Hospital.

Dean was born March 31, 1937 in Mercer County, Ohio to the late Harold French and Martha (Fuhrman) French Stober. On February 14, 1959 he married Connie (Adams) French, who survives in Bluffton.

Dean served with the United States Army, as well as dedicating his life to the citizens of Allen County for many years as the Allen County Auditor.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bluffton. Dean was a lifelong member of both the Elks Lodge and the Lima Area Jaycees. He was also a member of the Moose Club and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. Dean was also a very active member of the Allen County Republican Party and loved to watch all of his grandchildren's sporting events and other school activities.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife in their RV and simply following wherever the open road would take them. Whether he was gardening or tinkering, Dean loved to be in the outdoors. Dean could never sit still and could always be found fixing things or playing with his grandchildren.

Ultimately, his family was his greatest pride and joy. Dean was an exceptional man and will be greatly missed by all those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Survivors include his wife Connie French of Bluffton; three children, Randall (Karen) French of Charleston, South Carolina, Brad (Bridget) French of Charleston, South Carolina, Julie (Eric) Garmatter of Bluffton; a daughter-in-law, Cindy French of Palmyra, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren, Tiffany, Rhiannon, Kellen, Harris, Owen and Kate French, and Brinkley, Baylor, and Laykin Garmatter and a sister, Evelyn Berbower of Rockford, Ohio.

Dean was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Vera Adams Samples; a son, Todd French and brothers-in-law, Robert Berbower and Ronald Sanner.

A service for close friends and family will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. William Herr and Pastor Bob Clinger officiating.

Visitation will be held immediately prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial of the cremated remains will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bluffton Athletic Boosters or to the First United Methodist Church Youth Scholarship Fund.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.