Donald E. Forrest

Donald “Don” Edward Forrest, age 91, passed away on March 5, 2024, at his home in South Chicago Heights. Don was born in Chicago Heights in 1932. At the age of 19, he entered the United States Air Force and proudly served his country as a Radio Intercept Operator in Korea, where he was honored to received four service medals. Don was very devoted to his family, and was lovingly known as “Poppy” to his children, grandchildren and just about anyone close to him. He will always be remembered for his care and service to others, including caring for elderly family members and serving many years at his local Lutheran church, as well as his passion for photography, his zeal for researching his family tree, and his vibrant spirit which kept him very active, including riding his bike and his exercise bike right up to his final days. He was so proud when he turned 90-1/2 and celebrated the milestone of becoming the oldest living male in the Forrest family tree. Don was preceded in death by his parents Esther F. (Allgood) Forrest and John R. Forrest Sr., as well as his siblings John “Jack” R. Forrest Jr., Robert “Bob” C. Forrest, and Marjorie “Marge” (Forrest) Homeier, and his daughter Diane (Forrest) Davenport. Don was survived by his son, Dean E. Forrest (wife Anita) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grandchildren Jessica P. Davenport and Nicholas D. Davenport of Cedar Lake, Indiana; Andrew “Drew” W. Forrest (wife Katie) and Nathaniel D. Forrest of Minneapolis, Minnesota; his one and only great-grandchild Hunter, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Gathering Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 10:00 am until time of Memorial Service 11:00 a.m.  at Smits – Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Rd., Steger, Illinois 60475. Interment Homewood Memorial Gardens - Homewood, IL. For further information, please call 708-755-6100 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com.