Wilbur Dale French, 95, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at home with his daughter Jolene French. He was born on January 6, 1929, at his family farm west of Liberal, Kansas to Jesse French and Dora Nevins and was the youngest of three boys.

Wilbur graduated from Liberal High School in 1948, served in the United States Army in the Korean war, and was stationed in Alabama from February 1951 to January 1955.

Wilbur married Marilyn Langhofer on October 15, 1955 in the Plains United Methodist Church in Plains, Kansas. On October 13, 1962, they had their daughter, Jolene at the Epworth Hospital in Liberal, Kansas. Marilyn passed away on September 18, 2024.

Wilbur had several different careers in Liberal, Kansas. He worked at Woolwine’s Parts Store and at a jewelry store, repairing watches. In 1965, he started working at Beech Aircraft in Liberal, wiring instrument panels for airplanes. He retired from Beech Aircraft when the plant shut down.

Wilbur had several hobbies, he liked to work on vehicles, lawn mowers, or anything with an engine. He also repaired watches and clocks in the basement when he lived in Liberal.

In1991, Wilbur and Marilyn moved to Plains, Kansas to help Marilyn’s parents with the farming, and caring for Ed & Evelyn. Wilbur invested in a tractor, miscellaneous implements, and a grain truck. He then decided to retire and sold all of his equipment.

Wilbur is survived by his daughter, Jolene French, his grandchildren, Kristen and her husband, Justin Maxfield, Parkville, MO and Ashley and her husband, Trent Pfeifer of Wichita, KS, great grandchildren, Carson Maxfield, Avery Maxfield, Liam Pfeifer, and Declan Pfeifer.

Graveside services will be held at the Plains Cemetery on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 1:00 pm.

Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, Kansas, has been entrusted with arrangements.