Thilerna H. French, 96, of Maryville, IL, peacefully passed away at her home on Monday, April 20, 2026.

She was born March 24, 1930, in St. Louis, MO, to the late Thomas Earle and Myrtle Eugenia (née Nelson) Haddick. On March 10, 1950, she married Rodney A. French, and together they shared 76 wonderful years of marriage.

Thilerna earned her Bachelors and Master of Arts in Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and dedicated 27 years to teaching in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District. She was a member of PEO, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Lakeview Garden Club.

A devoted member of First United Presbyterian Church in Collinsville for 90 years, Thilerna served in various roles, including Clerk of Session and Sunday School Superintendent.  In her younger years, she had given her time as a Brownie leader and was involved in Job's Daughters and the Order of the Eastern Star.

She found joy in traveling with her husband, visiting all 50 states, Africa,  and many countries in Europe.   She cherished seeing former students, developing friendships at their favorite restaurants, and treasured her time spent with her dear, life-long friends—Jane Molinar, Genevieve Varda, Mary Lou Schultz, and Kitty Osborn.  In the later years she loved playing cards with her special card club or even just playing solitaire.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Virginia (Paul) Noascono; her brother, Clifford (Margaret) Haddick; her cousin, Janet Kuncl; her son-in-law, Stephen Esker; three great-grandchildren, Rylan, Andrea, and Amelia Hunt; a niece, Laurine Mandeville; and a nephew, Thomas Noascono.

She is survived by her loving husband, Rodney A. French; her three daughters, Barbara (Charles Gronau) Esker of Edwardsville, Elaine (Richard) Marmon of Maryville, and Carol (Steve) McFall of Maryville; seven grandchildren, Jana (Kyle) Hunt, Krista (Bob) Black, Aaron (Amy) Cook, Lauren (Keith) Crotty, April Calandro, Autumn Taylor, and Alex (Amber Scott) Dow; 13 great-grandchildren, Karley, Peyton, Jordan, Brendan, Zoe, Claire, Lucy, Drew, Alexa, Eli, Bennett, Jack, and Ellory; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at First United Presbyterian Church in Collinsville, with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Zach Lysdahl.   A luncheon will immediately follow in Westminster Hall at the church.

Memorials are suggested to First United Presbyterian Church and will be received at the visitation or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.