Bailey, Forrest Berdett

1923 - 2020  (97 years)

• Name	Bailey, Forrest Berdett
  Birth	26 Feb 1923	Clay County, Illinois   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Reference Number	BAIL.F004
  _FGRAVE	209916519
  Military Service	World War II, 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, United States Army  [2]
  		United States of America Flag, 48 Stars (1912-1959) In 1912, two stars were added to the United States flag, representing Arizona and New Mexico, bringing the total number of stars to 48. They were arranged in six rows of eight stars each. American fighting men would fight under this flag during four wars: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the beginning of the Vietnam War. (In 1959,…
  		United States Army
  		United States Army Enlisted Rank Insignia
  		World War II (1939-1945)
  Death	8 May 2020	Pana, Christian County, Illinois   [1]
  Burial	McCoy Cemetery, Tower Hill, Shelby County, Illinois   [1]
  		Headstone, Bailey, Iris G. and Forrest B.
  		Headstone, Bailey, Iris G. and Forrest B.
  Person ID	I50577	Carl Wayne Gray Research
  Last Modified	28 Jul 2021

  
  

  Father	Bailey, Forrest,   b. 9 Jul 1901   d. 19 Oct 1987 (Age 86 years)
  Mother	Potts, Jennie Myrtle,   b. 20 May 1903   d. 20 Jan 1991 (Age 87 years)
  Marriage	1 Dec 1920  [3]
  Age at Marriage	He : 19 years and 5 months - She : 17 years and 7 months.
  Family ID	F18257	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Pursell, I.G.
  Children	1. Bailey, Ronald B.,   b. 11 Sep 1947, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois d. 9 Jan 1984, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois (Age 36 years)
  Family ID	F18269	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana, Illinois Online Obituary Forrest Berdett Bailey, 97, of Pana left this life for Heaven on Friday, May 8, 2020. He was born February 26, 1923, in Clay County, Illinois, son of the late Forrest Bailey & Jenny Myrtle (Potts) Bailey. Forrest graduated from Louisville Community High School in 1942. He learned to weld and worked until he was called to serve his country in the army. Forrest married Iris Genell Pursell on February 19, 1944 in Belton, Texas. They lived in California while Forrest finished military training. He served in the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion in the Philippines. The 672nd was instrumental in rescuing Japanese prisoners from the Los Banos internment camp on February 23, 1945. In 2011 they were awarded a unit citation for their part in the rescue behind enemy lines. After his army discharge, Forrest was employed at, what was then, A. E. Staley Co. in Decatur, Illinois, a job he held for more than 30 years. For most of his life here in Pana, Forrest has been an active member of First Baptist Church. In retirement Forrest and Iris enjoyed their family and travel, especially to Colorado. Forrest is survived by his wife of 76 years, Iris, son Phil (Pat) Bailey, son Mark (Denise) Bailey, daughter Karen (Terry) Lush, daughter Rebecca (Steve) Hoffman, daughter Lisa (Morris) Hubbartt, daughter-in-law Peggy Bailey. The couple have 14 Grandchildren and 31 Great Grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers Clifford (Joann) Bailey, Ralph (Charlene) Bailey, and sister Eilene Green. Forrest was preceded in death by son Ronald Bailey; Granddaughter Shelley Bailey; three brothers Lloyd, Arden, and Leon Bailey; and one sister CoeDell Hilligoss. Private graveside services for Forrest will be held on Monday, May 11, 2020 in McCoy Cemetery with Pastor Nathaniel Kealen and Pastor Adam Hubbartt co-officiating. Memorials in Forrest’s honor may be made to First Baptist Church, 114 Maple St., Pana, IL 62557, and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.

  
  

• Sources

  [S3610] http://www.findagrave.com, Headstone, Bailey, Iris G. and Forrest B., (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209916519/forrest-berdett-bailey), none. (Reliability: 2). [S4811] http://www.findagrave.com, Obituary, Bailey, Forrest Berdett, 97, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209916519/forrest-berdett-bailey), none. (Reliability: 2). [S3163] http://www.findagrave.com, Obituary, Bailey, Clifford W., (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/229301762/clifford-w.-bailey), none. (Reliability: 2).