Earl Louis Forrler

Earl was born December 5, 1942, in Miami, Florida, the son of Earl Jacob and Josephine Wagner Forrler. He married Judith Schweitzer on June 22, 1968 and they later divorced. He married Ann Louise Campbell on August 17, 2002, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Springfield, IL.

Earl grew up in Merrick, New York and graduated from Calhoun High School in 1960 where he was a New York state wrestling champion for his weight class. He attended Washington University in St. Louis graduating in 1964 with a BS in Engineering. Earl went to work for Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan, coming back to Washington University and getting his MBA in 1967. He worked for several small firms doing financial work in St. Louis, Kentucky, and West Virginia, before moving to Jacksonville, Illinois in 1979 to work for Illinois Road Contractors as Comptroller until his retirement in October 2008.

He was a member of Christ the King Parish, Rotary Club of Springfield South, Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was very involved with the Abraham Lincoln Council Boy Scouts of America for several decades. Earl enjoyed going for walks, swimming, canoeing, hiking, camping, dancing, and going to the symphony. He will be remembered by all who knew him as fun-loving and stubborn.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Earl is survived by his wife, Ann of Springfield; his children, Cara Marie (Randal) Richardson of Afton, MN, Earl Richard “Rusty” Forrler of Bainbridge Island, WA, and James Jacob Forrler; grandchildren, Amelia and Henry Richardson, Natasha (Richard) Langley, Julian, and MacKenzie Forrler; and sisters, Barbara (Roy, deceased) McLeod of San Diego, CA and Kathy Forrler (fiancé Jim Haigh) of Windsor, CA.

Very special thanks to Earl’s caregivers (our “adopted” family) who took such wonderful care of Earl over the last 5 years – Brittany Williams, Nichole Vicari , Brandy Welsh, Tasia Noble, Breanna Wallace, Aletha Hatfield, Brittany Splain, Tank Stanburry, Stephanie Hammitt, Destiny Wright-King, Kelly Brown, Faith Perry, and Alderick Mason. Also our “adopted” grandchildren – Nevaeh, Serenity, Quintin, Quincey, Khloe, Aniessia, Jason, Taliah, Gianna, Jamierah , Ambree, Vivian, Bishop, and Mirari “Peanut” whose visits he enjoyed very much.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.

Memorial Gathering and Funeral Mass: Family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1930 Barberry Drive, Springfield, IL. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Michael Kuse, main celebrant and Rev. Christopher House and Rev. Joseph Ring, concelebrants.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King for school improvements.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.