Forrest V. Betche(1920-2008)
Forrest Virgil Betche, 88, of Country Club Retirement Campus peacefully passed away on Sept. 29, 2008, following a short illness. Born at Union City, Okla., on July 29, 1920, he was the son of the late Fred and Nellie Betche.
Forrest attended El Reno High School and left school to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was assigned to their minor league system at Oklahoma. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Navy.
Forrest served in convoys ferrying supplies to England in the North Atlantic. After this, he was reassigned to the South Pacific where he participated in convoys supplying materials for various engagements to include Guadalcanal, Guam and other sites to include India and Australia. Upon discharge from the service, he relocated to New Philadelphia, O., where his brother David and sister Birdene lived.
During his stay at New Philadelphia, he met Sarah (Sally) Leonardi Dalpiaz. The couple wed on Nov. 13, 1946, and resided at New Philadelphia from 1946 through 2005. He worked for Republic Steel at Massillon and Lee Freight Lines at Dover, also driving truck for a number of other firms.
Forrest was a member of Sacred Heart Church and its Senior Citizens group. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed card playing and being with family. He coached little league baseball and contributed his time and talent to other organizations including president of the CCRC men's club, The Romeos.
Forrest and Sally were married nearly 60 years when Sally passed away on Sept. 26, 2006.
He is survived by two sons, Richard (Annie) Dalpiaz of New Philadelphia and Ken (Sherry) Betche of Dayton; a sister, Jean Hale of El Reno, Okla.; a sister-in-law, Hilda Betche of New Philadelphia; a brother-in-law, Wesley Ninman of Buena Vista, Colo.; a brother-in-law, Al Leonardi of Gurnee, Ill.; five grandchildren, Brian Dalpiaz, Eric Dalpiaz, Chris Betche, Alison Forsythe and Amy (Ken) Hall; and nephews, nieces and wonderful friends.
Forrest was preceded in death by his first wife, Elva Betche; a brother, David Betche; four sisters, Birdene Warner, Agnes Swanke, Pauline Ninman and Marguriete Betche; and a grandson, Scott Dalpiaz.
The family will receive friends on Friday, Oct. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with a Christian Wake Service to be held at 6:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor George J. Schlegel on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery with the New Philadelphia Carl C. Stoller VFW Post 1445 rendering military honors.
Those unable to attend are encouraged to send fond memories of Forrest by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home's Web site.
Those wishing to do so may send memorial contributions in Forrest's name to the Herman-Dalpiaz Scholarship Fund, in care of New Philadelphia Quaker Foundation, P.O. Box 627, New Philadelphia, O. 44663 or to Sacred Heart Church, 139 3rd St. NE, New Philadelphia, O. 44663.
Linn-Hert-Geib
(330) 343-5506
www.geibcares.com
Published in The Times Reporter on Oct. 1, 2008
