Weldon John Forrest

Weldon J. Forrest, of Cadillac, died on Monday, December 23, 2013, at Elmcroft Senior Assisted Living Center in Kentwood, Mich. Weldon was born in Sault Ste Marie, Mich., on February 18, 1926, to Eugene and Carrie (Mongeon) Forrest. He graduated from Sault Ste. Marie High School in June of 1944. After graduation, he went directly in to the Army Air Corp. He served with the US 20th Air Corp 73rd Bombing Wing, 497 Bombing Group in Squadron 871. He was a gunner on a B29 and flew missions over Japan in World War II. He was married to Bernadette DesJardins for 65 years.

After the war, he joined the Michigan State Police in January 1948 and retired as a Lieutenant and Post Commander at Owosso in July 1973. He retired the second time from Eagle Village in Reed City, Mich., where he was in charge of maintenance. After retirement, he spent 18 winters in Zephyrhills, Fla. Weldon and Bernadette moved from Swiss Alpine in Reed City to Cadillac in 1994, where they resided until June of this year. His parents, seven sisters and one brother preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Bernadette; two daughters, Christina M. Forrest of Cadillac and Catherine A. Eppard of Grand Rapids; five grandchildren: Shawn Eppard and Kristy Hawkins (Gareth), David Froelich, Courtney Hart (Michael) and Ashleigh Froelich; two great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Hunter Eppard; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Cadillac on January 2 at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Riverside Drive (Catholic Section) in Sault Ste. Mare, Mich. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Ann’s Tuition Fund.