Mr. Charles W. Forrester, 82, of rural Stronghurst, IL passed away Friday, September 20, 2013 at his home.

He was born November 2, 1930 in Hopper, IL the son of James Walter and Blanche Elizabeth Waterman Forrester. He married Gale Earhart on January 29, 1951 in Kansas City, KS.

Charles served in the Navy. He workd at Leopold Company in Burlington and later worked at the IAAP retiring as a supervisor in 1986. He was a member of the former Walnut Street Baptist Church in Burlington. Charles enjoyed gardening, woodworking, painting, playing piano and raising a few farm animals.

Survivors include his wife, 2 daughters, Debra (Bob) Schumaker of Cambridge, IL and Pauline Greywolf of Idaho, 7 sons, Charles Steven (Peggy) Forrester of Quincy, IL, William Merle Forrester of St. Louis, MO, Mark Alan Forrester of Iowa City, IA, Jeffrey Dean Forrester of Galesburg, IL, Robert T. (Melanie) Forrester, Marshalltown, IA, Earl Walter (Jodi) Forrester of Monmouth, IL and Casey Aaron Forrester of Stronghurst, IL, 1 daughter-in-law, Sharon Forrester of Caledonia, MN, 25 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. 1 brother, Phillip Melvin Forrester of Burlington and 1 sister, Lena Ashby of Burlington

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Donald Forrester, 1 sister, Sadie Harwood and 1 daughter-in-law, Michele Forrester.

Services will be held at 2:00PM Monday, September 23, 2013 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Steve Minkler officiating. Burial will be held in the Olena Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 1:00PM until time of service. A memorial fund has been established for the Shiloh Christian Childrens Home.