Defourneaux, Rene Sr.,

AS Ron mentioned in the meeting last night, here is the write-up from the Indianapolis Star on Rene Defourneaux.  Rene spoke to us just last year!

Rene' Julian Defourneaux Sr. Passed away April 1, 2010 after living a brilliant life. He was born on April 29, 1921 in Lebetain, France. Rene' may be gone, but his legend will live on for a very long time. He is

survived by his wife, partner and best friend, Virginia Ruth Edds Defourneaux. His six children and nine grandchildren who live in six different states and two European countries also survive him. Family and friends all over the world will miss Rene'. While a young man, Rene' emigrated to the United States with his mother, Emilie and his sister, Marcelle, in order for them to join his father, Ernest in New Jersey. Rene' was very proud to have been naturalized as an American citizen and he was proud to serve in the Army's Office of Strategic Services during World War II. He devoted over twenty years of his life to the United States Army both in Europe and parachuting behind the lines and in Southeast Asia, working with Ho Chi Minh to offer resistance help against communism in the region. He was definitely a member of the greatest generation. During Rene's lifetime, his vocations and avocations could be listed as: artist, bread baker extraordinaire, smuggler, tool and die maker, photographer, carpenter, spy, private detective, coin and stamp collector, importerexporter, author, raconteur and public speaker. His stories are captivating and historical and he has written and published four books. Rene' loved technology and in the early 90's was among the first of his peers to have a computer and use an email address. To this day he has had his own website, defourneaux.com. In recent years, he could be found using Skype on his computer to talk and see distantly located family members and friends. Rene' loved and enjoyed promoting his adopted city of Indianapolis. He was a dedicated Kiwanian and won many awards for perfect attendance and as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. He was honored to be a member of the Indianapolis Literary Society and various military organizations and was also an active member of the All Souls Unitarian Church of Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Rene', donations may be made to the All Souls Unitarian Church Foundation, Kiwanis of Indianapolis Abe Lincoln Scholarship Program or Community Home Health Services Hospice. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. There will be a memorial service held at the All Souls Unitarian Church on East 56th Street in Indianapolis on Friday, April 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Care and arrangements have been entrusted to the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel 740 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis.