John Warren Holforty

He was born at home on his family farm outside of Heyworth on October 22, 1921. One of six children, John was the son of Alice Marie Cusey and Wesley Holforty. He was married to Edna Pauline “Polly” Williams on December 28, 1957, at his mother’s home in Bloomington, IL.

On September 17, 1942, John was inducted into the USN in downstate Illinois’ first public induction of Naval Air Cadets. After receiving his wings, Lieutenant Holforty was stationed at Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle, Washington, the home base for the Navy Air Transport which served and protected the North Pacific during W.W.II.

After the war, John finished his undergraduate degree at IWU. He then worked at State Farm Insurance in General Claims, where he was employed for 38 years.

Mr. Holforty was an active member of the Masons, the VFW, and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, gardening, reading, and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and a sister. Two daughters survive, Nancy K. Cicinelli, and Teri E. (Mark) Shankel, both of Heyworth. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Guy Anthony Cicinelli, Erin Melissa (Dino) Bogie, Christina Marie Cicinelli, John Paul Cicinelli, Ethan Joseph Dyer, Megan Eileen Dyer, Layla Marie Shankel, George Allen Shankel, Lake Joseph Warren Shankel; and 14 great-grandchildren including three sets of twins.

Visitation will be at East Lawn Funeral Home in Bloomington at 11:00 am, Friday June 5th, followed by burial and military rites in East Lawn Memorial Gardens at 12:00. Memorials may be made to Heyworth Public Library.

John was an honored war veteran and a hero to his wife, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.