LEONARD JAMES FRANCE
- known as "Butch" France of Point Nipigon, Cheboygan, Michigan, died October 6, 2006, at Hurley Hospital Trauma Center in Flint after a fall from the roof of the family cottage at Mullett Lake Wednesday, October 4.
Leonard France was born October 10, 1938, in Sault Ste. Marie to Leonard F. France and Estella (nee LePlant) France. He was graduated from LaSalle High School in 1956 and spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corp. In 1960, he married Sandra Kelly, and she preceded him in death in 1982.
Mr. France was a businessman, owning the Harbor Light Motel and Chiefs Drive-In in St. Ignace on North State Street. He also was the Metropolitan Insurance representative in the area for many years. He served on the City Council for 16 years. He was first elected in 1967, at a time when a new city charter was in the planning. He was instrumental in the planning and city wide voting on the charter, family members said, which changed the form of government from a Mayor-Ward system to a city manager government with a council and mayor elected by the whole city. This was voted in 1969, and he then served until 1983 under the new charter. He also worked with Edison Sault Electric to purchase the water system, and the St. Ignace Township system. Mr. France was once a candidate for mayor. He did, however, serve on the city council until 1983 and family members said he was proud of the accomplishments of the boardwalk on the waterfront.
Mr. France married Susan K. Werner January 25, 1985, and together they moved to Mackinaw City and owned the Barnett-France Insurance Agency, selling to employees in 2004 after 20 years in business. He served on the planning commission there and was a driving force for the sidewalk improvement in Mackinaw City, under manager Joe Duff. Mr. France was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the VFW in Mackinaw City, and the Mackinac Island Yacht Club.
He was an avid cyclist for the past 15 years, riding 14 miles from Point Nipigon to Mullett Lake on the day of his accident. He and Mrs. France enjoyed boating, and spent many summers on their boat before retiring in 2004.
Mr. France was active in both communities, and gave much of his time and talent to make each one a better place to live.
Surviving were his wife, Susan (nee Werner) France; children and their families, Ronald and Theresa France of St. Ignace, Jeannie France of Denver, Colorado, Kelly and Dan Moran of St. Ignace, Jacob and Leslie Tebo of Cheboygan, and Aimee and Damone Sorensen of Alpena; siblings and their families, Pete and Marge France of Ishpeming, Clyde and Tillie France of Midland, and Betty Fenlon of Montana; half-siblings Ruth and Kelvin McCord of Pickford, and Mary France of Cheboygan; step-siblings Theresa Robinson, Mary Joan Christensen, Anne Brown, Nora DeKeuster, Francis Leavitt, and Lawrence Brown; 11 grandchildren, and many friends.
Mr. France was preceded in death by his mother and father, his stepmother, Hazel; a brother, Frank Leonard France; and two sisters, Irma Swanson and Gloria "Kissa" Sterling.
Funeral at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in St. Ignace with Deacon Don Olmstead officiating. Dodson Funeral Home of St. Ignace
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