John Ralph Forsythe

JOHN R. FORSYTHE STAUNTON, VA John Ralph Forsythe, 91, husband of Archie Mae (Moyers) Forsythe of 712 Parkersburg Turnpike, died at 7:16 p.m. on Saturday (July 30, 2011) in King's Daughters' Community Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born March 15, 1920 in Augusta County, a son of the late John Ralph and Daisy (Stoutamyer) Forsythe. He was a veteran of World War II where he served as a Staff Sergeant with the 36th Texas 7th Army Division. He received five Bronze Stars for distinguished service. He was a member and Deacon of Bethany Presbyterian Church, the Ed Brant Sunday School Class and he sang in the choir for 48 years. He was a member of Staunton V. F. W. Post 2216 and served in the Color Guard. He was also a member of the Ever Young Singers and A. A. R. P. Gypsy Hill Chapter 3972. Mr. Forsythe retired after thirty-two years from Westinghouse/McQuay as a welder. In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Steve Forsythe of Swoope; two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Gary Grant of Staunton, and Twinkle and Rex Mason of Buena Vista; five grandchildren, Jarod Grant, Jennifer Harris, Eric Mason, Kelly Wunder, and Krystal Grant; and ten great grandchildren, Luke Grant, Juliette Grant, Kolton Dunkelbarger, Michaela Liljeroot, Madison Aughenbaugh, Zachary Harris, Hayley Harris, Sadie Mason, Isaac Mason, and Blake Wunder. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Thomas J. Forsythe, and two sisters, Maxine Melton Rohr and June Hollandsworth. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday,August 3, 2011 at Bethany Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Lester LaPrade. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens. Graveside military rites will be provided by Staunton V. F. W. Post 2216. Active pallbearers will be Clarence Forsythe, David Melton, Tommy Harris, Donald Brown, Robert Wilfong, Richard Moring, Dick Samples, and Randy Swisher. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany Presbyterian Church, 2501 Fifth Street, Staunton, Virginia 24401.