Forrest William Joppie

Forrest was born on August 6, 1947, in Muskegon to Kenneth and Eleanor Joppie. He graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from Central Michigan University. He served his country as a United States Army medical specialist from 1970 to 1974.

After his military service, Forrest worked as an operating room technician at Mercy Hospital for several years. He later taught through Whitehall Public School Community Education and substituted in local schools, sharing his love of learning with generations of students.

Family was Forrest's greatest pleasure. He loved entertaining, traveling, and simply enjoying life, love, and laughter with the love of his life, Becky.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Rebecca Ann Joppie; his children, Lisa (Mark) Henley, Janice (the late Joe) Luoma, Thomas (Jennifer) Joppie, and Faith (Arland) Johnston; and his grandchildren, Scott(Kaley) Mcfall, Stacey Mcfall, and Stephanie( Andrew) Sazima; Jon Luoma; Ashley, Brandon (Ghaige, Breylin and Sawyer Semkiw, Taylor (Will Plough) Joppie; and Hunter, Rebecca, and Addison Johnston. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Douglas Joppie and Rita Keller.

Forrest will be remembered as a coffee lover who found joy in the simple things — listening to the birds on the porch, whistling around the house, working a crossword puzzle, or losing himself in a good book. He was the smartest man many of us knew, a history buff always willing to share what he'd learned. He was generous, quick with a joke, quicker with a tease, and never withheld a hug. An amazing cook and baker, he loved good food almost as much as a good nap. He loved to travel and never met a story he couldn't turn into a laugh.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Rest easy now, Forrey. We love you.