John Ellsworth Forker

John Ellsworth Forker, 92, of Newton, died on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Edencrest at Siena Hills in Ankeny. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home and again immediately following the service, with a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorials to First Assembly of God may be left at the funeral home.

John, the son of Fred William and Ruth Irene (Balmer) Forker, was born on August 15, 1931 in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Newton High School with the Class of 1951 before joining the United States Army. John achieved the rank of 1st Corporal and served in Korea. On December 10, 1992, John was united in marriage with Bonnie Lee Wilcox in Corydon, Iowa at her parent’s house. He was a farmer and a lifelong resident of Newton and attended First Assembly of God in Newton. John enjoyed antique cars, farming, travel, and was a John Deere and flashlight collector.

John is survived by his wife, Bonnie Lee Forker of Ankeny, Iowa; children, Traci Martin of Fort Lupton, Colorado, Steve (Maggie) Wilcox of Gulport, Mississippi, and Joni Wilcox of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren, Dotty Sudbrock, Cory Wilcox, Andrea Wilcox, Lacy Schippers, Whitney Wilcox, Ben Wilcox, Peyton Martin, and Haley Ostrander; 17 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia Barber; great-granddaughter, Dallis Harrison; and nephew, Randy Barber.