Gene F. Forrest, 77, of Watseka, IL

Gene F. Forrest, 77, of Watseka, IL

Gene F. Forrest, 77, of Watseka died Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at his home.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2009 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka. The Rev. Lee Ryan will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Gilman, IL. Military graveside rites will be accorded by Watseka American Legion Post #23.

Mr. Forrest was born July 7, 1932 in Gilman, IL, a son of Merrill and Esther Wasmer Forrest. He married Phylllis Walsh on April 24, 1954 in Champaign. She survives.

Other survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth and Tom Weldon of Champaign, IL, Jean and Blaine Smitley of Charleston, IL and Jan and Jim Hambleton of Urbana, IL; two sons, Robert Forrest of Champaign and Mark Forrest and special friend, Karen Lipe of Urbana, IL; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Eddie and Mary Jo Forrest of Danforth, IL and Jim and Dorothy Forrest of Gilman, IL; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Forrest.

Mr. Forrest served in the U.S. Navy. He worked as a pressman at Uarco for twenty-seven years. He was a member of St. Edmund Catholic Church and Watseka American Legion.

Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice, Watseka American Legion or Donor’s Choice.