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Feb 26th, 1929 - Jun 9th, 2023Funeral Ceremony & Masonic Rites: 12 noon on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Committal Ceremony & Interment: 4 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser
Visitation: 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the funeral home
Donald Lyle Fornear, age 94, of Flora, Illinois, passed away early Friday morning, June 9, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
He was born February 26, 1929, in Sesser, the son of Robert and Beatrice (Settles) Fornear. He was united in marriage to Betty Lee Kunkel on January 7, 1949, in Sesser, and together they shared 70 wedding anniversaries until her death December 22, 2019.
Don served in the US Air Force from 1952-1956 during the Korean War era. After his promotion from the Illinois State Police Academy in 1958 he retired as a Sergeant after 30 years of service. He was a 60+ year member of the Masons and an active member of the Flora First Methodist Church. Don was often affectionately known as “Babe” around his hometown of Sesser. He enjoyed golfing, square dancing, camping, gardening, fishing, and rabbit hunting over the years. Don enjoyed exchanging stories and tales of all kinds when visiting with his friends and family. He will especially be remembered for his caring thoughtfulness, and how he shared a kind word with others, especially young people.
He is survived by a daughter: Barbara (Pat) Beck of Effingham; 3 grandchildren: Patrick Alan (Amber) Beck of Maumelle, Arkansas, Matthew Ryan (Faith) Beck of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Andrea Don (Curtis) Rexroad of Winter Haven, Florida; 7 great-grandchildren: Cayden, Jase, Averi, Ashlynn, Noah, and Braxton Beck, and Olivia Rexroad; and 3 step great-grandchildren: Dylan and Jaxon Evans, and Piper Miller.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Betty Fornear; a beloved son: Mark Alan Fornear; and 3 brothers: Meredith, William, and Robert Fornear.
A funeral ceremony and masonic rites will begin at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Pastor Mark Smith officiating. The committal ceremony and interment will take place at 4 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with the presentation of military funeral honors. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Flora First Methodist Church, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
Aug 29, 1936 - Dec 21, 2024
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you couldnt ask for a beter person and kindness and a brother of the flora masonic lodge . fare well my friend .
Barb, I’m sorry to here of the loss of your Dad. I have fond memories of your family. Your father was a good man and loved by all.
Barb and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in Gods Peace, Don 🕊️
Barbara, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember both your parents and they were both very nice. You were very lucky to have had such a good Dad. Julie
Don gave me many sweet times of hearing his many tales and life experiences. His faith and love was evident to all.
So sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was a very good friend of my father's. They both served the citizens of Illinois proudly as Illinois State Troopers. Rest in peace!
We have lost one of the best. I am sure he and Betty and Mark are now reunited in heaven. I loved hearing his stories no matter how long it took to tell them.
Loved Don and his gardening lessons..he was my friend and will be missed ❤️
I am really going to miss you Don. Rest in the arms of our Lord.
Don was the ultimate gentleman. He loved and was devoted to his family. He was an honor to his profession. We enjoyed visiting with him and Betty. He was fun on the golf course. It’s wonderful knowing that he is now reunited with Betty and Mark. Prayers of peace and comfort for Barbara and her family. RIP Sergeant Don❤️
Sorry to here of Dons passing, he was a good man and friend of mine. I grew up with Mark and Don fishing and hunting, playing baseball and picking blackberry’s. I know there together now in a wonderful place.
Don was my 1st year little league coach. And the only way he could have been happier. Was if he could have been kinder. And there no way that could happen. A few years back. We sit down and talked. A few times. I sure enjoyed it. And I think he did too. I will really miss him. Sorry for your loss.
With much love and prayers, Dave Lewis. You all have my sincere sympathy. Don and Betty have always been such great friends, and were so very thoughtful and kind to everyone. They will always be greatly missed, and we treasure our fond memories. David Lewis.
I am very sorry to lose a great neighbor. I have lived in front of Don Fornear for around 11 years. And nobody could have a better friend than Don was to me. He will be missed in the neighborhood, Barb , u and your family are in my prayers.
Barbara and family: I was sorry to hear about your father's passing. The last time I talked to Don was at my father's funeral. They both served the citizens of Illinois proudly as ISP. He and Dad were good friends. Don was a good, kind man. Prayers for comfort at this difficult time.
Barb we are so sorry to hear of your Father's passing. Your thoughts and prays are with you. 🙏🏻
We will miss you, your compassion and your service to our country! Thank you and rest in peace Don!
Prayers of peace and comfort for you and family, Barbara. Remember your Mom and Dad fondly as some of the great fifth street neighborhood parents. Some of my best memories. And pray God's hugs as you visit these memories of your dad.
I am so sorry to hear about your dad!!! We saw him at Grama's kitchen 2 weeks ago!!! I'm so glad I stop to talk to him and gave him a hug!!! I'm so gladi did!!
My condolences to you Barbara and family. God bless.
My thoughts and prayers for Barbara and family. Don was just a wonderful man—- he certainty will be missed ! Loved to hear him tell his stories!
Don was one of a kind. He was the nicest man that I have ever known. Will miss his stories. Sadly we didn't get to play golf this year but memories of the past years will always be with me. So sorry I cannot make Don's funeral. But I will sure be thinking of him Tuesday.
Barb, condolences to you on the passing of your dad. He was a great guy. God blesd
Barb- What a legacy your dad ( and mom) have left for all of us. Our Florida memories are full of their warm, welcoming presence. We loved Don’s stories and his teasing and his generosity. And his love for Betty- never a doubt there. They both loved life and lived their faith. We are sad but so many happy memories remain. Love to you and your family. Nancy and Bill Frazier
Barb- So sorry to hear the passing of your Dad. He was a great guy and would do anything for you. He always had a smile on his face and a kind heart. He will be missed dearly.
Hello, I am Vickie Simpsons daughter. Don and Betty were so special to our family. They were such sweet people. My daughter and I both have been blessed to have them in our lives. Many laughs and tears. Love and hugs. Shelly
I grew up near a gas station the Fornear’s ran a DX gas station and were always kind to me. We went to the Sesser Methodist Church together. Prayers for peace and comfort
Our sympathies for the passing of your dad Barb. He was a very nice guy. You and your family will be in our prayers for comfort and acceptance in the days ahead.
I am sorry to hear of Mr. Fornears passing. He was a nice man. I played ball with his son Mark before he passed away far to soon. Mark also was a very pleasant person. Condolences to the Fornear family.
Had the pleasure of working with Don… he was a super nice guy!!! RIP Don Condolences to the family
Sorry to hear of the passing of a "brother in Blue" in Sgt. Fornear. I grew up in Flora Il and went to school with daughter Barb thru 7th grade when my family moved to nearby Olney Il. Don just had that presence of what an IL. State Police officer should be and the way he carried himself. I always had a lot of respect for him even at a young age. During my career w/ the ISP I tried to conduct myself how Don did; fair but firm with people. He set the example for young Troopers like myself to carry on the tradition of the agency. I salute him for his service to our country and the citizens of the State of Illinois.
Writing from the Fornear perspective, every family should have a "Babe." He brought each emotion to the family, from his ready smile and sense of humor to the deepest compassion for those who were hurting. As many of our family members passed on, he served as a beloved patriarch, with Betty by his side, being there for each part of our dear family, recounting his favorite stories with joy. We, like many others, will miss his loving hugs, sincere caring and Christian example. Barbara, we are sad for you, Pat, your children and grandchildren, but we're happy for your dad as he, your mom and Mark are together again.
I remember growing up next door to Don and Betty. Don and my father hunted together. He was a very kind and caring man. He will be greatly missed.
Prayers for all of Don's family and friends. He was one of the most admired and nicest people I knew at our church. Condolences to his family.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Don Fornear. I will always remember him from my childhood years at the Methodist Church as a very kind man and totally dedicated to the Lord and his family. I send heartfelt prayers to all of his family.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
