Mr. Robert L. Forney 94 of Rochester passed away at 7:40 AM Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester.
On October 10, 1925, Robert Lee Forney was born in Rossville. He was the treasured son of Roscoe and Ora Hood Forney. Growing up as the middle child, Bob shared his childhood with three brothers and three sisters. He graduated from Frankfort High School with the class of 1943. Immediately following his graduation he enlisted with the United States Army to serve our country during World War II.
During his service stint Bob was trained in communications and as a tank destroyer. He was recognized as a rifle sharpshooter, expert on the sub-machine gun. Decorations conveyed were American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and Victory medal World War II. He achieved the rank of technician fifth grade aka technician corporal and was honorably discharged on April 17, 1946. In April of 2016, Bob was honored as a member of the Northeast Indiana Honors Flight accompanied by grandson Aaron to Washington, DC.
On July 30, 1945, Bob married the love of his life Miss Rosanna Weaver, at the Shenandoah Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. From their union came four beautiful daughters and a handsome son. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of six grandsons and seven great-grandchildren.
With a keen interest in customer service, Bob was in retail grocery store management. He also once managed a Sears store in Michigan. To relax he enjoyed golfing and traveling. In more recent years he enjoyed tooling around the county taking a drive with his buddy Burns.
With an amazing and uncanny ability to tell stories, Bob told many and recreated them adding a special touch only he could apply. Occasionally he was accused of border line BS-ing. He was very loyal to his friends and adored and admired his family, treasuring the many good times they shared.
Left to cherish Bob's memory are his five children: Kathy Siders and husband Maurice of Rochester, William Scott Forney and wife Judith of Denton, TX, Suzanne Halsey and husband Denny of Angola, Rebecca Morris and husband Butch of Mexico, Kristie Brooks and husband Chad of Rochester; six grandsons: Marvin Siders, Andrew Halsey, Jason Morris, William Forney, Tyler Brooks, Aaron Brooks, seven great-grandchildren and a sister Shirley Coy Overton of Plainfield.
Preceding Bob in death are his wife Rosanna on January 10, 2015, parents Roscoe and Ora Forney, two sisters Lois Phillips, Phyllis Forney and the three Forney brothers Glenn, Walter and Kenneth and a treasured friend Burns Becht.
A celebration of the life of Mr. Robert "Bob" Forney will be at 1:00 PM Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th Street,Rochester. Pastor Martin Furrow will officiate. Friends may visit with his family from 11:00 AM until the hour of the service. A Masonic memorial service will be held at 12:45 PM. The Fulton County Veterans Honor Guard and US Army Honors Team will accord military graveside rites. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Fulton County Veteran's DAV Van Fund, % Veteran's Service Office 815 Main Street, Rochester, IN 46975. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to Bob's family at www.goodfamilyfh.com
