John H. Forbes, age 61, of Albert City, Iowa went to his heavenly home on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Laurens, Iowa. Burial will be in the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City. Visitation will take place Monday, June 23, 2014 from 4-8:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City with a rosary at 4:00 p.m. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

John Howard Paul Forbes, the son of Orville and Margaret (Lorge) Forbes, was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on August 27, 1952. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. John went to grade school and through the eleventh grade at the Pocahontas Catholic School. He completed his education at the Pocahontas High School, graduating with the class of 1971. When John was a sophomore in high school, he sang “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” for Bishop Miller. During his years in Pocahontas, John had many jobs including construction work, helping his dad at the telephone office, working at the Ballard Standard Oil Station for 5 years, the Phillips 66 Oil for 2 years and also for an underground cable company in Minnesota.

John found the love of his life, Margo Wilbur, and they were married on May 19, 1973 at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert City. Out of his love for Margo, they were blessed with three children: Bruce, Ericka, and Michelle. Their married lifetime has been spent in Albert City where John joined the Farmers Coop on June 4, 1973. He had been with Ag Partners for 40 years and has seen many changes. Family was very important to John and he loved his children very much and was so proud of the accomplishments they have made in their lives. John thoroughly enjoyed watching his children in their sports and celebrating their graduations of their work choices.

John was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Laurens. He had also been a member of the Albert City Fire and Ambulance for 32 years, retiring in 2008.

John is lovingly remembered by his family which include his wife of 41 years, Margo, of Albert City, Iowa; children: Bruce (Carli) Forbes of Sioux City, Iowa; Ericka Forbes and Clint Pedersen of Omaha, Nebraska; and Michelle Forbes and Mike Rehm of Emmetsburg, Iowa; grandchildren: Dylan, Michaela and Addisyn Rehm and Madalyn and Spencer Forbes; sisters: Sue (Rich) Chapman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Charlotte (Steve) Carlsen of Havelock, Iowa; mother-in-law, Vivian Wilbur of Albert City, Iowa; aunts: Hazel Striet of Ames, Iowa; Mary Ange Hedrick of Mason City, Iowa; aunt and uncle, Paul and Joan Koeble of Marquette, Michigan; special friends, Kelly and Mike Vicks and their children; many nieces; nephews; in-laws and “outlaws”; aunts; uncles; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; brother-in-law, Chuck Blankenhagen and father-in-law, Willie Wilbur.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be given in John’s memory to the Abben Cancer Center at Spencer, Iowa.