John E. Forbes
September 23, 1927 ~ December 29, 2019
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.
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To the Forbes family , I’m so sorry for your loss . Your dad was a funny great guy . Always ready to tell a story . I’m sure you all have great memories of him that you can hold dear to your heart . I will be thinking and praying for you during this difficult time .
Love and prayers to the Forbes’ family. John was a wonderful man. I know his reunion with Liz, and beholding God’s face was worth the wait. Until you all meet again, peace be with you.- Julie Molick
I’m so very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was such a sweet man who always had a smile on his face. He was one of my all time favorite drivers from my days at ADM in Taylorville. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Sorry to here about uncle John passing might thoughts and prayers are with the family
I was very fortunate to volunteer with John. He made the days at TMH enjoyable besides learning many things he did throughout his life, and became a friend. My prayers to his wife and his families. Yolanda Marucco
Lots of good memories from the Forbes Family!!!!!! John may you Rest In Peace!!!!!!!!! Prayers to the Family!!
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. I met him through my dad Ed Vincent. They were good friends and I know they are together again, telling stories and playing jokes on others in Heaven.
Johnny was always friendly and funny with a good sense of humor. He loved the Lord and I remember him and Liz baptism at Grace Baptist with myself in 2007. Faith in Christ was especially important to John and Liz. I know we will see them both again. No more pain or heart ache.
John was our school bus driver in Morrisonville….what a sweetheart!
Attended our church in later years.
Liz and he provided the very best political ice cream social, and walked in parades with us.
They were a blessing to very many dear friends.
We will remember and miss you fondly.
The Kindermann’s.
John and Liz raised a wonderful family. A prominent member of the Morrisonville community, John will be fondly remembered by many.
My family’s symphony to the Forbes family. What I remembered best about John is his presence at Morrisonville High School basketball games. I had the pleasure.to sit with John at a game after I had been away from Morrisonville, for years and moved back to the area for a while. He was his jolly old self and caught me upon his family, which he was so proud. He was one of a kind and raised. a great family. R.I.P. John