Daniel L. Forker
October 13th, 1952 - February 17th, 2023
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Daniel's Obituary
Daniel L. Forker, of New Buffalo, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family and beloved dogs, Jack and Bella.
The family will receive guests from 5pm until time of rosary service at 7:30pm, Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Burton St., New Buffalo. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am, Friday, February 24, 2023 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 718 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo. Interment will be held privately. Memorial contributions may be given to Toys for Tots of Berrien County, www.berrien-mi.toysfortots.org.
Daniel was a graduate from River Valley High School, class of 1970 and attended Vincennes University where he obtained an associates degree in science in 1995. He was a very proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving from 1970 to 1974. He served in Cherry Point, NC, security at Bermuda Naval Air Station, and El Toro, CA eventually obtaining the rank of Sergeant. He worked for the Indiana Department of Correction for 40 years, starting as an officer at the Indiana State Prison and working his way up to Major at the Westville Correctional Facility, retiring in 2013.
Dan was born in Benton Harbor, MI to Max and Jean (Omo) Forker. He was married to his love, Nancy (Skalecki) Forker for many years. Residing in New Buffalo, they raised three wonderful sons. He loved watching his family continue to grow with three beautiful daughters-in-law, six precious grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. He had so much joy watching them participate in many sporting events and activities. He was a parishioner of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church and served many years as an usher and a brother with the Knights of Columbus, receiving the honor of the Fourth Degree in 2018. He was also a life-time member of the Marine Corps League and the American Legion. After retirement, he and Nancy enjoyed many trips with their trailer, especially in 2016 to see numerous National Parks. Dan put up a strong fight with cancer for the last seven years.
Dan is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sons, Mike (Shariann) Forker of LaPorte, IN, Kevin (Krista) Forker of Columbia, MD, and Steven (Kris) Forker of LaPorte, IN; his grandchildren, Brenton, Justin, Logan, Cambrie, Adriana, and Isaiah; his great granddaughter, Marcella Rose; and his siblings, Debbie (Ron) Graack, Diane Forker, Dawn (Ted) Nowicki, Doug (Cristel) Forker, Dorothy McDiarmid, Max Forker, and Tommy Ryan. He is preceded in death by his sister, Donna Forker; and his parents.
The family will receive guests from 5pm until time of rosary service at 7:30pm, Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Burton St., New Buffalo. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am, Friday, February 24, 2023 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 718 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo. Interment will be held privately. Memorial contributions may be given to Toys for Tots of Berrien County, www.berrien-mi.toysfortots.org.
Daniel was a graduate from River Valley High School, class of 1970 and attended Vincennes University where he obtained an associates degree in science in 1995. He was a very proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving from 1970 to 1974. He served in Cherry Point, NC, security at Bermuda Naval Air Station, and El Toro, CA eventually obtaining the rank of Sergeant. He worked for the Indiana Department of Correction for 40 years, starting as an officer at the Indiana State Prison and working his way up to Major at the Westville Correctional Facility, retiring in 2013.
Dan was born in Benton Harbor, MI to Max and Jean (Omo) Forker. He was married to his love, Nancy (Skalecki) Forker for many years. Residing in New Buffalo, they raised three wonderful sons. He loved watching his family continue to grow with three beautiful daughters-in-law, six precious grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. He had so much joy watching them participate in many sporting events and activities. He was a parishioner of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church and served many years as an usher and a brother with the Knights of Columbus, receiving the honor of the Fourth Degree in 2018. He was also a life-time member of the Marine Corps League and the American Legion. After retirement, he and Nancy enjoyed many trips with their trailer, especially in 2016 to see numerous National Parks. Dan put up a strong fight with cancer for the last seven years.
Dan is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sons, Mike (Shariann) Forker of LaPorte, IN, Kevin (Krista) Forker of Columbia, MD, and Steven (Kris) Forker of LaPorte, IN; his grandchildren, Brenton, Justin, Logan, Cambrie, Adriana, and Isaiah; his great granddaughter, Marcella Rose; and his siblings, Debbie (Ron) Graack, Diane Forker, Dawn (Ted) Nowicki, Doug (Cristel) Forker, Dorothy McDiarmid, Max Forker, and Tommy Ryan. He is preceded in death by his sister, Donna Forker; and his parents.
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Additional Visitation Information
Rosary service to begin at 7:30pm