Ernest Forehand

THEBES, Ill. -- Ernest Leon Forehand, 89, of Thebes died Tuesday, Sept. 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 Nov. 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" Holshouser 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, Sammie Forehand (fiance, David Devine), Brittany (Daniel) Olsen, 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 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will be at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure, Illinois, with graveside military rites.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.