Forbes, Gerald Jay

Gerald Jay Forbes, 81, of Lone Tree, passed away Monday, March 18, 2013, at Pioneer Park in Lone Tree. Funeral services for Gerald will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March, 25, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lone Tree. Father Michael Spiekermeier will preside, assisted by Cluster Coordinator Carol Kaalberg. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery with full military rites provided by the Lone Tree American Legion Post 457. Following the interment, there will be a time of food and fellowship at the American Legion Post 457. Casket bearers will be Gerald's grandsons. Honorary casket bearers will be Gerald's granddaughters. Visitation for Gerald will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Lone Tree.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice, in Gerald's name.

Online condolences for the Forbes family may be sent to .

Gerald Jay Forbes was born on March 10, 1932, in rural Louisa County. He was the oldest son of Daris L. and Irene Mincer Forbes. He attended a rural Louisa County country school and then graduated from Lone Tree High School in 1949. In 1953, he joined the Army Reserves and served for nine years. On June 15, 1953, Gerald was united in marriage to Betty Bekker at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lone Tree. They would have been married 60 years in June.

Gerald farmed all his life south of Lone Tree and moved into town in 1991. He was on the Farmers and Merchants Bank Board for 30 years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 457, the Farm Bureau, the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce and was a township trustee for Fremont Township for many years. He was a part of the Lone Tree Athletic Boosters for many years and he was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He enjoyed going bowling, raccoon hunting, fishing, duck hunting and deer hunting. Some of Gerald's favorite treats were homemade ice cream and Mountain Dew.

Gerald will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Betty of Lone Tree; eight children, Karen Kay Forbes of Lone Tree, Diane M. Swedzinski and her husband, David of Milroy, Minn., Colleen A. Westfall and her husband, Chris, of Lone Tree, Russell C. Forbes and his wife, Laurie, of Lone Tree, Susan R. Forbes, and friend Jim Ronan, of Lone Tree, Linda J. Marsh and her husband, Larry, of North Liberty, John J. Forbes and his wife, Kelli, of Conesville and Neil E. Forbes and his wife, Jill, of Lone Tree; 15 grandchildren, Brian and Carl Swedzinski, Eileen Westfall, Tracey Hoesch (Karl), Michael Forbes (Anna), Korey Forbes, Bryan Forbes, Jessica Rockafellow (Weston), B.J. Eden, Mackenzi Marsh, Danielle Forbes, Taylor Forbes, Madison Forbes, Trey Forbes and Logan Forbes; two great grandchildren, William and Shyan Rockafellow; and three brothers, Keith Forbes and his wife, Ruth, of Iowa City, Loren R. Forbes and his wife, Janet, of North Liberty and Lowell L. Forbes and his wife, Linda, of Lone Tree.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lois I. Cook; and brother-in-law, James Cook.

Published in The Gazette March 19, 2013.