Otis W. Forkner

Otis W. Forkner, 86, of Eau Claire, MI passed away at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at home.  He was born on October 22, 1929 in Lakeville, IN to the late Lamarre C. and Amy Hope (Smith) Forkner. 

Mr. Forkner is survived by two daughters, Nikole M. Forkner of Dowagiac, MI and Amy (Pete) Rayl of South Bend, IN; three sons, Steven A. (Marilyn) Forkner of Dowagiac, MI, Mitch Forkner of Osceola, IN and Gary (Leslie) Forkner of Osceola, IN; daughter-in-law, Paula Forkner of Mishawaka, IN; seventeen grandchildren, Amber (Ryan) Hodges, Kamron Rayl, Tyler (Kelly) Rayl, Trevor Rayl, Jason Forkner, Nikki Forkner, Ryan (Leigh) Forkner, Riley (Erica) Forkner, Macy Forkner, Ayden, Forkner, Tyler Cesavice, Gaven Cesavice, Zak (Michelle) Forkner, Nicholas Forkner, Chelsey Forkner, Randy (Jessica) Zawacki and Angel (Troy) Gann; nineteen great grandchildren and sister, Betty King of Chicago, IL.  He was proceeded in death by his son, Jimmy Forkner of South Bend, IN; his companion of thirty-one years, Ivy E. Schmiedeknecht; two sisters, Annabelle Hamilton and Vivian Guzucki; brother, Jim Forkner and an infant.

Mr. Forkner was a lifelong area resident.  He was a graduate of Lakeville High School.  He served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, serving in Company 196 Regimental Combat out of South Dakota. Mr. Forkner worked for twenty years at the Cook Nuclear Plant in Michigan.  He also worked for Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Trades Local 75.  He was a forty year member and past president of Allied Trades Local 75, a member of American Legion Post #303 and member of the Moose Lodge #599 of Elkhart, IN since 1962.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2016 at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend, IN.  Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from 2:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday and 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.     

Contributions in memory of Otis W. Forkner may be offered to Southern Care Hospice, 1911 W. Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49024.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

 Service Information