Delbert Joseph Forton

Delbert Joseph Forton

July 28, 1929 - May 27, 2023



Delbert Joseph Forton was born on July 28, 1929 in Muskegon, Michigan to Arthur J. and Marie (Mary) C. (Heim) Forton. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He learned to be a butcher in the service and continued that trade throughout his working life.

Del married Betty Ann Ostrander on February 20, 1954 and they had three children. After their first child was born, they moved from Michigan to California to be in a warmer climate for their son who had asthma. The marriage ended after 10 years.

Del met Christa Elfriede Kühn at the bank where she was working and they married on August 31, 1969 and he helped raised a stepdaughter. They were married for 53 years.

Del enjoyed spending time with his family, dogs, and friends, fishing, RV camping at Silent Valley RV Park in the San Jacinto Mountains, playing cribbage, gardening, lying in the sun, watching Angel baseball games, collecting cans for recycling money, finding bargains at the swap meet, taking cruises, eating at buffets, and gambling.

During his life, Del had both hips and both knees replaced. He was successfully treated for bladder cancer in 2019. He also survived multiple serious skin cancers. He died peacefully in his sleep as a result of congestive heart failure.

He is survived by his wife Christa Forton, son Michael Forton, daughters Rochelle Taylor, Jan Walter, and Yasmin Vogt Pitre, six grandchildren, and nine greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wilburn Forton, Virgil Forton, and sisters Mary Keeskun and Delores Simpson.

Interment will be at Riverside National Cemetery on June 13, 2023.
 

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