Herbert Fornash

Herbert H. Fornash, age 90 of Osakis, formerly of Shorewood, IL passed away peacefully on February 14, 2021 at the Galeon care facility in Osakis, MN where he was a resident.

On April 29, 1930 a baby boy was born to Herbert H. and Oma (Arble) Fornash in Grafton, West Virginia.  He was their only son and was named after his father, thus earning the title, Junior.  He graduated from Grafton High School in 1948 and after some serious courting, married his sweetheart, Marjorie May Rodgers. They were blessed with one daughter, Brenda. Herb worked for the Hazel Atlas Glass Company, which specialized in canning jars.  A year after their marriage, the young couple moved to Grafton, WV when Herb worked at the Kerr Glass Co.  He would devote thirty-five years working at Kerr, many of those in the box shop division of the shipping department.  They moved in 1959 to Shorewood, IL.

All of his life, Herb had an interest in aircraft.  He loved planes and spent many hours painting them.  As a man of many talents, he also enjoyed candle-making, riding motorcycles and wood-working.  A life-long lover of music who learned to play piano without any formal lessons. Herb and Marj loved to ballroom dance and taught it to other couples for many years.  Herb also had a special interest in C B radios, talking for hours to various buddies and travelers.  His ‘handle’ (radio name) was Huggy Bear, a fitting title for such a kind and caring guy.  Herb had a natural ability to make others feel that they had made a friend for life.  He was a great storyteller and always ready to lighten the mood with a joke or two.  He could make friends where ever he went.  Due to declining health, Herb came to live with his daughter in Osakis, MN in 2014.  He kept busy meeting new friends and working on multiple bird-houses that he would gift to anyone who could hang them up and enjoy them.  His generousity was endless.  Like his generous spirit, his memory will also live on in the hearts of his family.

Henry is survived by daughter, Brenda Collofello of Osakis; granddaughter, Kelly (Bill) Butcher of Osakis; a great granddaughter, Amanda (Lance) Sherman of Belgrade, MT and two great, great granddaughters, Isabella and Baylee. Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife, Marj and a sister, Elizabeth, known as Betty Lou.

Private services for Herb will be held with inurnment afterward at the Gordon Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Osakis, MN.

Condolences and memories may be left for Herb on his Tribute page at www.royhetland.com.

Roy-Hetland Funeral Home of Osakis, MN was honored to help with his arrangements.