John "Jack" Forster, age 82, of Cherry Valley, Illinois, died Saturday evening May 21, 2005 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center after a sudden illness. Jack was born October 26, 1922 in Sycamore, Illinois the son of Ben and Anna (Sullivan) Forster. He married Betty Lou Garrard in 1943 and then married Janice Phillips in 1974. Jack was a salesman for John Deer Company for 59 years. He worked for Poulter Implement in Belvidere and currently for Meridian Implement in Rockford. Jack never retired. He attended schools in Ashton, Illinois and was a member of St. James Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.Survivors include his wife, Jan; children, Pat (Lee) Baxter, Peg (Cecil) Voiles, Johannah Overmeyer, Chris (Chuck) Lungstrom, Mike (Linda) Phillips, Judy Hillis, Rodger (Jan) Phillips, Elaine Voiles; brothers, Francis "Steve" Forster, Jim Forster and Lawrence "Bud" (Jackie) Forster; twenty-nine grandchildren including Tom and Angela who were raised by Jack and Jan, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and his faithful companion "Lady". Jack was predeceased by his parents, brother, Bill; sons, Robert and Richard; daughter Mary Frances and grandson Billy Bonzi.

A memorial will be established.