Ernest Leon Forehand

Ernest Leon Forehand, 89, of Thebes, Illinois died Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at St. Andrew's at Francis Place in Eureka, Missouri. He was born April 24, 1926 in Reynoldsville, Illinois to Arthur and Ida Delores Dillon Forehand. He and Geraldean "Gerri" Holshouser were married November 10, 1956. Ernest served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 737th Amphibian Tractor Battalion and the 42nd Armored Infantry Battalion. He worked for the Cahokia, Illinois School District 22 years as a bus driver, painter, maintenance worker, and custodian. He retired in 1988 and moved to Thebes. While in Cahokia, he was a member of Maplewood Park Baptist Church where he was active in bus ministry, driving coach buses on mission trips. After moving to Thebes he joined East Cape Baptist Church. Ernest was a member of the Masons for 50 years and currently held membership in Caledonia Lodge No. 47. He was an avid Cardinal fan, He loved to fish, especially while on vacation in Minnesota. Survivors include his wife, Geraldean "Gerri" Forehand of Thebes; two sons, Randall Forehand of Arnold, Missouri and Bradley Todd (Rhonda) Forehand of Columbia, Illinois; two daughters, Cindy (Ed) Lahue of Byrnes Mill, Missouri and Janice Hickman of Arnold; two brothers, Harold (Loujetter) Forehand of Columbus, Georgia and Robert (Myrtis) Forehand of Ninety Six, South Carolina; two sisters, Wilma Lindsey of Fulton, Tennessee and Sharon (Phil) Morris of Coden, Alabama; eight grandchildren, Ryan and Emily Forehand, Karley (Shaun) Phillips and Sammie Forehand (fiance, David Devine), Brittany (Daniel) Olsen and Ashley Lahue (fiance, Luke Wilhite), and Alli and Kyle Hickman; and two great-grandchildren, Kennedi and Kyleigh Phillips. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Darrell Forehand; a sister, Lou McCrite; and a grandchild, Rachel Lahue. Friends may call 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau. Masonic service will be held at 12:30 PM. Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will be at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure, Illinois with graveside military rites.

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Ernest Leon Forehand

April 24, 1926 - September 29, 2015