Roger L. Forrest Obituary (1941 - 2022)

Roger L. Forrest, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully on the evening of December 23rd, at the age of 81. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 29th at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington Normal American Legion Honor Guard at the funeral home immediately following the service. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Thursday at the funeral home. Roger was born to Marie (Doss) and Loren Forrest on January 24, 1941 and grew up in Bellflower. He served two years in the army and, in his words, "proudly protected the state of Colorado from enemy invasion" during that time. He worked at G.E. and Firestone, retiring from the latter in 2001 after more than 30 years of service. On February 12, 1972, Roger married Regina Berberet, who passed away in July of 1994, and together they lovingly raised one daughter, Kalene. In 2003, Roger met Linda Vaughn and they were married on July 28, 2012. She survives, as do her children Ken (Carol) Vaughn and Paul (Mindy) Vaughn, and two granddaughters, Miranda and Carissa. Roger was a life-long St Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed going to games as well as watching them on T.V. He loved bald eagles and enjoyed going eagle watching with Linda and friends. He could always be counted on to come up with a good story from days gone by, many of which included his good friend, Budweiser. He was a gentle giant who took great pleasure in people's shock and amazement of his 6'5" stature, which he proudly passed on to his 6'7" grandson, Jack. He loved recalling things his grandkids Jack, Sophie and Ellie would do and say when they were little, that still made him chuckle to the very end. He will be so deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Roger is preceded in death by his mother and father, wife Regina, brothers-in-law Ron Lockenvitz and Jim Kane, sisters-in-law Dolores (Berberet) Lockenvitz and Patty (Berberet) Kane, and several close friends. He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Kalene (Jim) Hornsby, grandchildren Jack Hornsby, Sophie Hornsby and Ellie Hornsby, his sister Karla (Larry) Ruch, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor's choice in Roger's name.