Submitted by: John C. Monk

Submitted by: John C. Monk

 

Edwin W. Forrest Jr.

http://mi-cache.legacy.com/legacy/images/Cobrands/SouthBendTribune/Photos/ForrestEd_20100209.jpgMay 29, 1923 - Feb. 8, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Edwin "Ed" Wolfe Forrest Jr., age 86, of South Bend, formerly of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away Monday, February 08, 2010, in the Regency Place Nursing Home in South Bend. Ed was born May 29, 1923, to the late Edwin Sr. and Bessie (Pippenger) Forrest. On December 24, 1943, Ed married the former Marigrace Bickel in Elkhart, Indiana. She preceded him in death, passing away in 2008 after 65 years of marriage. Surviving are his children, Carolyn (Terry) Voogd of Onsted, Michigan, Ginny Forrest of South Bend and Jim Forrest of South Bend; along with six granddaughters and eight great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother, Leo (Mary) Forrest of Elkhart; his sisters, Winnie (Verlin) Dorrier, Juanita Stout and Betty (Paul) Fuller, all of Elkhart; and his sisters-in-law, Marcie Forrest of Elkhart and Doris Forrest of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ed was preceded in death by his brothers, Fred, Jack and Chuck Forrest, as well as by his brother-in-law, Earl Stout. Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm Friday, February 12, 2010, in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. A Masonic service will be held during the visitation time. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 13, 2010, in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, and interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Ed was a graduate of Concord High School, class of 1941. During his time there, he established the first dance band at the high school. In 1943 Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as a bandsman until his honorable discharge in 1946. Ed was very involved with music, and played lead trumpet for Bobby Wear's Dance Band for 20 years. While residing in the Tampa, Sarasota and Sun City Center areas of Florida in the 1980s, Ed established the "Deans of Dixie," a Dixieland band, and the "Second Time Around" Big Band Dance Band. He also established the "Tuition to Music" scholarship in the 80s and 90s, providing dance band music and donating over $40,000 to students, enabling them to go to college. Ed was the owner and president of Trucut Tool and Supply for 20 years until his retirement in 1980. Through his business, he was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, National Tooling and Machining Association, and the Industrial Distributors Association. Ed belonged to the Masonic Lodge, was a 33rd degree Mason through the South Bend Valley of the Scottish Rite, and held membership at the Orak Shrine in Michigan City, Indiana. He was a longtime member of the Grace EUB and Trinity Grace Methodist Churches where he coached church basketball, and was an active leader of the Youth Fellowship. Ed was also a longtime Chicago Cubs fan. In his memory, contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospitals of North America. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapelhillmemorial.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune on February 9, 2010