Forrest C. Forde, 84, of Center Point, died Monday, December 7, 2009, at his home. Forrest chose to be cremated and a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, December 11, 2009, at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Marion. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service.

Survivors include his wife, Esther; two children, Linda (AJ) Johnson and David Forde; four grandchildren: Danielle (Mike) Gearhart, Joshua (Jodi) Johnson, James (Amy) Johnson and David Forde, Jr.; one great-grandchild, Mattie Johnson; two brothers, Omar (Shirley) Forde and Arlan (Margaret) Forde. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, other family members and many caring neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

Forrest was born April 19, 1925, the son of John and Clara (Slindee) Forde, in Decorah. He married Esther Marie Kurtz on September 25, 1949, at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church in Decorah. Forrest was employed at Wilson's for 36 years. While growing up, he attended school and church in Decorah. Forrest was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II in the South Pacific. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars; a member of Mount Hermon Lodge; a Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Cedar Chapter; a Past Watchman of Shepards of the Order of White Shrine; and a Past Royal Patron of the Order of Amaranth.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Forrest's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Forrest at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.