It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, Ruth Lorraine (Karns) French, on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at the age of 85.

She was born in Oil City on April 25, 1931, a daughter of the late Robert K. and Edna M. (Farren, Cornmessor) Karns.

She married the late Wilbur B. French in January of 1950, and they had five children: Jeanette Sanner and her husband Edward of Cooperstown, Cynthia Sayers and her husband David of Cochranton, Richard French and his wife Jayne of Wexford, Kimberly Bingman and her husband Jeffrey of Monroeville, and James French and his wife Dawn of Hartstown.

She enjoyed her large family consisting of twenty grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, William Karns and his wife Jane of Rocky Grove; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Helen (Karns) Muldoon and her husband William; a brother, Robert Karns and his wife Joanne; two brothers-in-law, Lee and Hank French; a granddaughter, Jean Ann Sanner; a grandson, Jaden French; and a great-granddaughter, Alyson Snyder.

Prior to her marriage, she worked at Wallace’s Book Store in Oil City. Following the death of her husband in 1968, she resumed work at Weston’s in Franklin for three years, and then was employed by The First National Bank of Pennsylvania, where she retired after twenty-one years of service.

Her faith and church were always an important part of her life. She attended the Oil City Church of God for many years before moving to Cooperstown. She then attended Fox Street Church of God and became part of the core group that helped to plant a new church in Cooperstown. She also attended the Church of God camp meetings at Whitehall camp in Emlenton for many years. She loved her Lord and her family very much.

Ruth’s hobbies included traveling and spending time with her family; working in her yard and tending to her flower gardens; quilting, crocheting, and sewing; creating numerous works of art from stained glass; and going shopping with her daughters.

She will be missed immensely by her family, but they are comforted knowing that she is with her Lord and those awaiting to be reunited with her in Heaven. Those of us left behind have many fond memories of a life well lived, and a good example for us to strive to live by.

There will be a private viewing and funeral service held for the family at Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca. Rev. Jeffery Bingman and Rev. Jayne French will officiate. Interment will follow in Mount Zion Cemetery in Van, Cranberry Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Whitehall Church of God Camp, 580 Whitehall Road, Emlenton, PA 16373.

The Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc. in Seneca is completing funeral arrangements and condolences to the family may be expressed online by visiting www.hilebest.com