Forrest V. Betche

FORREST V. BETCHEForrest Virgil Betche, 88, of Country Club Retirement Campus peacefully passed away on September 29, 2008 following a short illness. Born at Union City, Oklahoma on July 29, 1920, he was the son of the late Fred and Nellie Betche.Forrest attended El Reno High School and left school to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was assigned to their minor league system at Oklahoma. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Forrest served in convoys ferrying supplies to England in the North Atlantic. After this, he was reassigned to the South Pacific where he participated in convoys supplying materials for various engagements to include Guadalcanal, Guam and other sites to include India and Australia. Upon discharge from the service, he relocated to New Philadelphia, Ohio where his brother David and sister Birdene lived.During his stay at New Philadelphia, he met Sarah (Sally) Leonardi Dalpiaz. The couple wed on November 13, 1946 and resided at New Philadelphia from 1946 through 2005. He worked for Republic Steel at Massillon and Lee Freight Lines at Dover, also driving truck for a number of other firms.Forrest was a member of Sacred Heart Church and its Senior Citizens group. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed card playing and being with family. He coached little league baseball and contributed his time and talent to other organizations, including president of the CRCC men’s club, The Romeos.Forrest and Sally were married nearly 60 years when Sally passed away on September 26, 2006. He is survived by two sons, Richard (Annie) Dalpiaz of New Philadelphia, Ken (Sherry) Betche of Dayton, a sister, Jean Hale of El Reno, Oklahoma, a sister-in-law, Hilda Betche of New Philadelphia, a brother-in-law, Wesley Ninman of Buena Vista, Colorado, a brother-in-law, Al Leonardi of Gurnee, Illinois, five grandchildren, Brian Dalpiaz, Eric Dalpiaz, Chris Betche, Alison Forsythe, Amy (Ken) Hall and nephews, nieces and wonderful friends.Forrest was preceded in death by his first wife, Elva Betche, a brother, David Betche, four sisters, Birdene Warner, Agnes Swanke, Pauline Ninman, Marguriete Betche and a grandson, Scott Dalpiaz.The family will receive friends on Friday, October 3 from 4:00-7:00 pm in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with a Christian Wake Service to be held at 6:45 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor George J. Schlegel on Saturday, October 4 at 11:00 am in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery with the New Philadelphia Carl C. Stoller VFW Post 1445 rendering military honors.Those unable to attend are encouraged to send fond memories of Forrest by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.Those wishing to do so may send memorial contributions in Forrest’s name to the Herman-Dalpiaz Scholarship Fund, c/o New Philadelphia Quaker Foundation, PO Box 627, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663