Forest G. Lemon

In the presence of his loving family, Forest Lemon gently departed on Monday, September 13 . He was a tremendous husband, father, brother, uncle and friend to so many throughout his hometown of Bloomington. The son of Gilbert and Maudeleen (Kale) Lemon, Forest was born January 6, 1925 and married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life for 66 years, LaDonna (Newton) Lemon at Mystic, Connecticut, while serving his country in the US Navy. He was commissioned as a Yeoman First Class while working submarine duty in World War II and the Korean War. Son David Lemon, of Lafayette (Margaret) and daughter Debbie Lemon, Bloomington, have been fortunate to enjoy such a long and wonderful life with their father. Forest graduated from Bloomington High School in 1942 and attended classes at Indiana University. He worked in various occupations and was an entrepreneur at heart. Forest joined with his cousin Tom Lemon in operating the Cantol Wax Products Company, partnered in the development of a hardware store, worked for the US Postal Service and founded Burkhart Floor Covering in 1959 along with his brother-in-law. This successful family owned business included his wife, sister-in-law, son and daughter. In 1980, he and LaDonna retired and traveled throughout the country in their recreational vehicles. Many times they were joined by their grandchildren Laura Thorn, Phoenix (Chad), and Andrew Lemon (Karie Shepherd), Bermuda. Many special memories were created on these trips. He was a member and ardent volunteer for many organizations in Monroe County. As a member of Fairview United Methodist Church for 61 years, Forest served as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Treasurer, Lay Leader, Head Usher and served in Methodist Mission trips. He held a membership in the Mason Monroe Lodge, the Stone Belt Shrine Club and was proud to be a clown in the Shriner’s clown unit. He was a member of Kiwanis, the American Legion and volunteered for the Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross. One of his greatest pleasures was riding his BMW motorcycle until he was 79 years old. A special memory, at age 65, was riding with his good friends to Alaska and witnessing the beautiful scenery and wildlife. He and his children rode motorcycles together in places like the Great Smokey Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, and cities in the Midwest. Forest was a very resourceful man. He, along with several friends and family members, built his and LaDonna’s first home—a log house on the northwest side of Bloomington. He utilized true horse power to bring the logs he had cut and hewn to the building site. Forest is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and one sister, Sue (Arthur) Trowbridge, Washington, IN, two brothers, Herbert (Pauline), Bloomington, Jack, Baltimore, MD, his special niece Marlyn Naylor, and several nephews and a niece. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Mary Alice Naylor, and grandchild, Richard Lemon. A private family service will take place at Valhalla Memory Gardens. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date at Fairview United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome in his name for Fairview United Methodist Church (600 W. 6th Street, 47408), Bloomington Hospital Foundation (PO Box 1149, 47402), or the Canvas campus ministry in honor of his caregivers (http://www.globalservicenet.org/giving/giff-reed). Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org. The family thanks everyone who has supported Forest and his family through his journey.

Tributes

Forest G. Lemon

January 6, 1925 - September 13, 2010