John E. Forbes, 92, formerly of Morrisonville, IL, passed away at 9:10 p.m. on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Nokomis Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
John was born September 23, 1927 in Morrisonville, the son of Elmer and Vera Mae (Swinger) Forbes. He graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1945, and married Elizabeth Ann Ryan on January 9, 1949 at the Fairview Church. She preceded him in death on January 26, 2011. John then married Patricia Wallace on December 2, 2017 in Taylorville.
John farmed most of his life, raising hogs and milking cows as well as custom baling and lime spreading. He also worked for Allis Chalmers in Springfield, Louis Marsch, Firestone in Decatur, Peabody coal mine, Christian County Highway Department, and Illinois Department of Transportation. He drove a school bus for Morrisonville School District. After farming, he was the owner operator of Forbes Trucking and later drove for Sorrells Farm Supply in Raymond. Upon retirement, John worked for Perfetti Funeral Home driving the funeral coach and portered cars for Bob Ridings. There were many jobs over the course of his life that required his expertise.
John was a member of the First Baptist Church of Morrisonville, Midwest Truckers, a lifetime member of the Morrisonville Masonic Lodge, and a past volunteer at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. He enjoyed raising Shetland ponies, attending parades, and playing marbles with his grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Chuck Forbes; infant son, Johnny Ray Forbes; great granddaughter, Kiley Beckmier; daughter-in-law, Jan Forbes; and sisters, Ruth Fleigle and Norma Bryan.
John is survived by his wife, Pat Forbes of Springfield, IL; sons, Mark (wife, Deb) Forbes of Morrisonville, and Bryan (wife, Patti) Forbes of Mahomet; daughters, Ronda (husband, John) Carl of Glendale Heights, and Kathy (husband, Dennis) Beckmier of Humboldt; daughter-in-law, Jackie Forbes of Vandalia; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: The family will receive guests from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home, 304 Carlin St., Morrisonville, IL 62546.
Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Morrisonville with Rev. Dayle Badman officiating.
Interment will follow at Morrisonville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Morrisonville Community Ambulance, PO Box 641, Morrisonville, IL 62546, or Nokomis Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Activity Fund, 505 Stevens Street, Nokomis, IL 62075. Donations of food may be brought to the American Legion Post 721 in Morrisonville Thursday morning.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences to the family.
