Dr. James C. Forstall

Dr. James C. Forstall, 85, of Springfield, passed away at 3:44 p.m. on Friday, March 3, 2017 at Memorial Medical Center. James was born on March 19, 1931 in New Orleans, LA, the son of Joseph Carroll and Helen Lockley Forstall. He married Giovanna F. Vannini on February 21, 1959 in Livorno, Italy. James proudly served our country as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army. He did tours of duty in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and retired from the Army after 20 years of service. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and three Meritorious Unit Citations. Recalling his military career, Forstall remembers with pride representing President Richard M. Nixon at the Presidential Wreath Laying at the Lincoln Tomb on Lincoln's birthday in 1969. James received his doctorate in Higher Education and Educational Administration from Illinois State University in 1985 and dedicated decades of his life to higher education. He worked as Administrative Assistant to the President of Sangamon State University, Vice President of Student Affairs at Lincoln Land Community College, and Associate Director of Grants Administration for the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and worked for the Dean of SIU School of Medicine. He was a member of St. Agnes Parish, was active in the Springfield Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Retired Officers Association, Frontiers International Club of Springfield, and Lion's Club. He was a vocal member of many organization's boards including Memorial Medical Center, Goodwill Industries, Marine Bank Student of the Year Scholarship, American Savings Bank, the Citizens Club of Springfield, and the Better Government Association Advisory Board. He was appointed by Congressman Paul Findley to the District Advisory Council of the Small Business Administration and is currently a member of SCORE. For the past 10 years, he had been a member of the Springfield Dominican Anti-Racism Team. He served as Co-Chairman of the Diocesan Task Force for Racial Justice and as a Diocesan representative on the Peace and Social Justice Committee. In December of 2013, he was bestowed the "Magnificat Award" by The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois. James was known as a friend to all, which was reflected when he earned the First Citizen Award in 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Giovanna Forstall of Springfield; sons, Giulio (Dorris) Forstall of Keller, TX and Gregory (Tami) Forstall of Flint, MI; grandchildren, Stephanie, Gabrielle, Savannah, and Chana; and several cousins. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield. The visitation will begin with a prayer service. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 10, 2017 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos, Springfield, with Rev. Robert J. Jallas officiating. Burial will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery following Mass.