Thomas “Tom” Forrest, 73 passed from this life on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in IU/Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie after an extended illness.
Tom was born in Muncie, Indiana on Oct. 23, 1949, and was the son Amos E. and Dorothy M. (Runyan) Steup.
Tom was retired as Lt. Colonel from the Indiana National Guard after 35 years of service. He was a member of the Temple Baptist Church in Dunkirk and a 30 year member of the Arabian Horse Assn. Tom raised and showed Arabian horses for several years.
Tom is survived by his wife of 50 years Leslie (Huffman) Forrest, his son, Jacob (Cherie) Forrest and his daughter, Amy (Matt) Ballman. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Gavin Ballman, Hayden Ballman, Branson Forrest, Pryce Forrest and Michaela Ballman; and his sister, Janice Freiburger.
A service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in Whetsel Funeral Service, Park Ave. Chapel, 1503 S Park Ave., Alexandria with Pastor Randy Glenn officiating. Entombment will follow in Gardens of Memory, Muncie. Friends are invited to visit the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James Forrest and sister, Sue Hawkins.
Memorials can be made to the Miles for Myeloma, 980 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 or Haven of Hope Ministries, 128 E 400 S, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
Bud & Susan Whetsel are honored and blessed to care for Tom and serve the Forrest family.