Louis F. Forton
Died March 24, 2014
SUTTONS
BAY - Louis Franklin Forton, 80, of Sutton Bay, passed away at his home on
Monday, March 24, 2014.
Lou was born Feb. 18, 1934 in Traverse City
the son of Louis and Adeline (Kolarik) Forton.
On Aug. 24, 1957 at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau he married his
loving wife of 56 years, Merle Marie (Couturier) Forton, who survives.
Lou was a proud veteran of the United States
Army and served his country honorably in the Korean War. He was a member of the VFW post 7731 of Lake
Leelanau and also St. Michael’s Parish of Suttons Bay. Lou was a stone mason for over 40 years, but
“never worked a day in his life.” Lou
loved to fish, hunt and travel. He took
hunting trips to Wyoming, Montana and Alaska, and also traveled to Brazil,
Japan and Rome.
Lou was well known in the area as “Big Lou”
not only because of his size but because of his enormous heart. He had an outgoing and friendly personality,
always stopping to engage in a conversation with anyone he met. He visited and played Euchre with his many
friends at Tendercare on a daily basis.
He carried on his family tradition by making
hotdogs and sausage for most of the county. He was a craftsman and made numerous
trains, rocking horses, and doll beds for his grandchildren and great
grandchildren. His masonry came in handy with his art of making cement hearts
and Blessed Virgin Mary statues that decorate many yards in the area.
Lou is survived by his wife, Merle; his
children, Louis J. Forton, Dale (Kim) Forton, Denise (Ken) Derylo, Wade
(Heatherbee) Forton, Tonya (Joseph) Dulzo, Todd (Sari) Forton, Jason (Julie)
Forton; his siblings, Jane (Raymond) Cracchiolo, Robert (Pat) Forton, Cecelia
(Thomas) Hamer, Thomas (Karen) Forton; a brother-in-law, Ronald Ervin; sixteen
grandchildren, Rose, Caleb, Erika, Jaimie, Hildi, Eliot, David, Avery,
Christopher, Adelan, Elizabeth, Steven, James, Kate, Grace, and Samuel; and three great grandchildren, Ashley, Payton,
and Dylan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a
brother, Andrew Forton, and a sister, Margret Ervin.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March
26 from 4:00-8:00pm with the rosary to be prayed at 7pm at the Martinson
Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The mass
will be held on Thursday, March 27 at 11:00am at St. Michael’s Church of
Suttons Bay. Burial will be held at a
later date in St. Michael’s Cemetery.
Father Leonard Paul will serve as celebrant, Father Michael Janowski
will serve as co-celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed
to St. Michael’s Church, PO Box 9, Suttons Bay, MI, 49682 and/or Mass
Intentions.
Please share memories with Lou’s Family
online at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral
Home of Suttons Bay.
to uncle lous family you are in my thoughts and prayers.to uncle lou thnaks for all the hunting trips to wyoming and fishing trips to mobridge s.c. we sure laugh alot telling storys. some we shared a few beers and some corn royal then the stories got a little funnier. you will be missed. jess
ReplyDeleteYou touched so many lives Uncle Lou in a positive way, you will be missed. I also enjoyed the hunting trips to Wyoming and fishing in Mobridge SD. And Jess is right about how the stories got funnier when we got into the beer. Thank you for teaching me how to make hotdogs. John T. Forton
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to the entire Forton family, especially John T. a friend of many years. May the Lord send you Peace.
ReplyDeleteRichard H. in VA
We are so sorry to hear of Lou's passing. I first met Lou when he and Wade helped us build the Suttons Bay high school. What a guy, so full of life. He always made going to work an enjoyable experience. He was so proud of all of his family. He could talk for hours about them, beaming with pride or sometimes shedding a tear. Lou was always glad to show us all his projects in his shop and his beautiful gardens. I'm proud to say I have both a concrete heart and a Lou Forton cutting board. Just Monday I was building a stone pier, I grabbed some 2 by 4's to support the corner and told my buddy "Big Lou showed me this". He is the perfect example of how life should be lived. We are blessed to have known him and will miss him. Dave & Cheryl Marlin.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow we will bury another of my heros. Uncle Lou was always willing to teach the younger generations the art of his crafts, wether it was stonework, gardening, woodworking and especially hot dogs. The most important lesson Uncle Lou taught me was to live life with all of your heart. He will be missed terribly and remembered with a smile not only by his family but all of Suttons Bay. Armanda "Forton" Krantz
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences to Wade and his whole family. May you find peace in your faith and love from your family and friends. Marty Szasz-Busby
ReplyDeleteCondolences to the entire Forton family on the loss of this wonderful man, husband, father, grand & gr grand father; and especially to my dearest friend Dale Forton; my heart & prayers are with you and your family during this sad time, and may happier memories of past days and years help to carry you through the sadness in your hearts right now. "We have the hope of Glory, Big Lou, you are in the presence of Glory; save us all a good seat." Lou is building many wonderful things in God's house...(Karen Sanctorum Foster)
ReplyDeleteI cannot even think of Louie as a part from his dear Merle, their LOVE was so abounding that it carries on into an eternity that no one,and nothing is ever able to diminish the intensity of its reach. Louie's huge body with the strength of his more than gentle grip that seem to never let go...his all's good mind.. his passionate heart...his all-seeing eyes of faith...his huge smile always electric with his tender care of LOVE...his sweat...his bountiful tears...his all...Merle's all LOVE poured out.
ReplyDeleteI love Louie and Merle because the passion of their love loved me, when I needed a strength of their special LOVE to carry on. When I love is with the LOVE that Louie and Merle reached into me...I'll carry their presence here at Holy Cross on-the-Beaver into eternity.
Thank You, Louie...Thank You, Merle Thank You..Ceil and Tom, Jane and Ray, and each and every great and small little 'Maggie' Fortons who were kind to share with me the wonder of Forton Love...may we only keep passing it on.
Peace ~ Fr. Jim D.
Our most sincere condolences to Merle and all the Forton family on the loss of your dear Lou. He was an amazing man in so many ways ... truly talented and creative, such a hard worker and loving family man, with a heart as pure as gold. His faith was worn on his sleeve, in all the love and care he gave to others. Our family is most appreciative of the time he gave to the residents of SB Tendercare ... most especially to our dad Urban LaCross. Urb loved Lou, and so looked forward to having him come to play Euchre and help pass the time. Most every day we'd ask "Did Lou come today?" and Urb would light up and relay the latest episodes! God bless Lou for his big kind heart, and for making life better for so many in this world. May he now rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord. He, and all of his family, will be in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Glenn and Judy LaCross,
Alfreda and Family