Gerald W. "Jerry" Forester, age 76, of Elkhart, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Elkhart General Hospital. Jerry was born October 17, 1934 to the late Ralph and Minnie (O''Neil) Forester in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On December 8, 1955, Jerry married the former Ms. Peggy Morgan in Marked Tree, Arkansas. They were married 55 years.
Peggy survives, along with their children, Sharon (Stan) McSorley and Tim (Cindy) Forester, both of Bristol, IN, Kim (Rex) Ennen of Forest City, IA, and Ty (Tanya) Forester of Osceola, IN. Surviving as well are Jerry''s siblings, Jim (Shirley) Forester, Tom (Elka) Forester, Margaret (Loy) Cole, Gene (Kate) Forester, Stanley (Anita) Forester, Wendell (Maggie) Forester, and Mark (Gwen) Forester. Jerry is also survived by his grandchildren, Erika (Jason) McSorley-Riegsecker, Spencer (Andrea) McSorley, Ross Forester, Samantha Forester, and Morgan Forester, and his step-grandchildren, Bret (Cassidi) Ennen, Alyssa (Robbie) Burnett, Mandy Molnar and Kayla Molnar. Also surviving are 4 great grandchildren, Kailey, Macey and Brady Riegsecker, and Brody Forester, along with a great grandchild due in July.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola, Indiana. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Henry Bontrager at 11:00 am Thursday, June 23, 2011 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola with entombment to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Jerry was employed as a welder at Excel Industries in Elkhart until they closed in 1983, and then worked in the shipping and receiving department at Teledyne Metal Forming until his retirement in 2003. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and sports, especially golf, and spending time with his family and his dog Chance, and before him, his dog Elvis.
In his memory, donations may be made to the charity of the donor''s choice.
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