Forest M. Shonkwiler

Forest M. Shonkwiler, 89, of South Bend, passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 2015 in his residence with his family by his side after an extended illness.

He was born on July 23, 1925 in Lena, Ind., to the late Estel and Mary (Hood) Shonkwiler.

On Jan. 9, 1949 in Lena, he married the former Mary C. Squires, who survives.

Forest and his wife have resided in the Michiana area since 1964 coming from Crawfordsville.

He retired from C.C. Kelly & Son after many years of service as a sales rep.

Forest is survived by his loving wife Mary of 66 years; one daughter, Sue E. Torbert of South Bend; two sons, Gary L. (Janet) Shonkwiler of Brazil, and Steve J. (Kristi) Shonkwiler of South Bend; four sisters, Clema (Bill) Perkins of Roachdale, Joan Alcorn of Bainbridge, Loisdene (Bill) Reeves of Greencastle, and Roberta Scaggs of Greencastle,; one brother, Malcolm C. Shonkwiler of Greenwood; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Robert D. Shonkwiler on May 17, 2003.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in World War II and was a member of the American Legion Post 0357, Indianapolis, and Masonic Lodge 469 in Bainbridge.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at Hanley and Sons Southwest Chapel Funeral Home, 23421 State Road 23/West Ireland Road, South Bend.

Service will be held at Lena United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. Saturday with Pastor Bill Price officiating. Friends and family may visit at the church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Burial will follow at Poff Cemetery in Brazil.

The family requests all memorial contributions be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, IN 46637.

Condolences may be expressed online through our website: www.hanleyandsonsfuneralhomes.com.

Hanley and Sons Southwest Chapel Funeral Home handled arrangements and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Shonkwiler family.