Charles W. Forrest

Charles W. Forrest, 83, of 3109 E. Bristol Street, Elkhart, died at 7 am, Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at home.

He was born April 24, 1926 in Elkhart to Edwin W. and Bessie L. (Pippenger) Forrest. On August 25, 1946 he married Doris J. Kiefer in Elkhart. She survives along with two daughters, Peggy (Don) Presser of Bristol and Cathy (Bill) Johnson of West Chester, Ohio; three granddaughters, Elizabeth, Jenna and Lauren Johnson; two brothers, Leo (Mary) Forrest of Elkhart and Ed Forrest of South Bend; three sisters, Winifred (Verlin) Dorrier, Juanita Stout, and Betty Lou (Paul) Fuller and sister-in-law Marcie Forrest all of Elkhart. Jack and Fred Forrest, brothers, preceded her in death.

Mr. Forrest graduated from Concord High School in 1944. He retired from CG Conn Co. after 24 years as plant manager, and then owned Fidelity Music Co. in Elkhart for 20 years. He was a musician and played baritone and tenor sax in the Bobby Wear Band. He was a member of the Kane Masonic Lodge 183, Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend and Orak Shrine in Michigan City. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and was devoted to his family. Mr. Forrest served in the US Army during WWII.

Friends may call Friday from 2:00 to 8:00 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart and one hour prior to the 1:00 pm funeral Saturday at the funeral home. Rev. Larry Kurtz of Faith United Methodist Church will officiate. Kane Lodge 183 will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service at 7:30 pm Friday. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Military graveside honors will be rendered by the US Army Honor Guard and Osceola American Legion #308.

Memorials may be given to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care or Shriner’s Hospital. Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to offer online condolences.