Medberry, Forrest D.

Forrest D. Medberry, 89, of Marion, died Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at Linn Manor Care Center, Marion. A funeral service celebrating Forrest's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 5, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion, with the Rev. Gregory Williamson officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military rites. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids and at the church after 9 a.m. Saturday.

Forrest is survived by his children, Barbara (William) Koppenhaver of Rio Rancho, N.M., Sandra (Gary) Capron of Anamosa, Pamela (Roy) Robertson of Marion, David Medberry of Duluth, Minn., and Craig (Michelle) Medberry and Linda (Michael) Merck, both of Marion; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Arlene.

Forrest was born Jan. 16, 1923, to Ivan and Amy (Griesinger) Medberry in Elgin, Iowa. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, with a specialty as a sheet metal worker and received a Good Conduct Medal. After an honorable discharge from World War II, Forrest married Arlene Gilbert on Dec. 21, 1946, in West Union and enjoyed 58 years of marriage with her until she passed away in 2004.

He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion and VFW Post 788.

Forrest's favorite pastime was spending time with his family. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published May 4, 2012 in The Gazette