Major Forrest Eugene “Fory” Barton, USAF, Retired, 98, of Galesburg, died at 7:56 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2019 in Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
He was born October 6, 1920, in Galesburg, the son of Lee S. and Vada Arlene (Calkins) Barton. He married Eileen H. Richards on February 15, 1942, in Galesburg. She preceded him in death on November 5, 1998, after more than 56 years of marriage. He is survived by three sons, Fred Barton of Tucson, Arizona, Kirk Barton of Rochester, Illinois, and Bruce Barton of Charlotte, Tennessee; three daughters, Dianne Basso of Aurora, Colorado, Karen Wood of Kona, Hawaii, and Pam White of Marana, Arizona; eight grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; a brother, Richard Barton of Galesburg; and a sister, Annettie Bowton of Abingdon. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth. Forrest made a career in the US Air Force for 30 years. During WWII he served as the radio operator (Buzz) on a B17 Crew and flew 30 missions over Germany. He later served as the officer in charge of foreign students who were training in the US in Texas and Illinois. He also served our country as a USAF officer in Thailand, Alaska, Michigan, Texas, Virginia and New York. He retired in 1970. He then moved back to Galesburg and worked for the State of Illinois as a rehabilitation counselor from 1971 to 1984. Forrest was active in the community, serving as secretary and president in the Exchange Club. He was an active member of the Elks Lodge 894 and served as the chairman for the Illinois Elks Children’s Care in Galesburg. He also volunteered for the Red Cross as the military liaison person. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Galesburg. Forrest was an active bowler until the age of 92 and enjoyed playing golf. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1938 where he was a cheerleader. He organized class reunions for many years. He also graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1971. He walked in the annual Galesburg Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades up to age 92.
Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Rev. Daniel Siems will officiate. Burial will be in Oneida Cemetery, Oneida, Illinois. Military honors will be provided by the US Air Force Honor Guard and the VFW/American Legion and AM Vet honor guard. Visitation will be 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the chapel. Memorials may be made to Illinois Elks Children’s Care or American Red Cross. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
