Loren E. Forinash

Loren Edwin Forinash

Loren Edwin Forinash, 84, Topeka, died Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at Midland Hospice House. He worked for Rock Island Railroad as a switchman for 42 years. Mr. Forinash served in the Army during World War II with the 445th Heavy Armored Maintenance in the European Theatre. He landed in Italy and also fought in France and Germany. His company was attached to the 3rd and 7th Army Divisions. He was born Oct. 4, 1919, in Wabaunsee, the son of Clyde H. and Daisy F. Pugh Forinash. He was a graduate of Alma High School in 1937. He lived at McFarland before moving northwest of Topeka in 1963. He was a member of Alma Lodge No. 161 A.F.&A.M., Silver Lake American Legion Post No. 160, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wabaunsee County Historical Society and a lifetime member of the NRA. He married Levena M. Moses on Nov. 28, 1942, in Brownwood, Texas. She died Dec. 4, 1998. He also was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Loren Forinash, Feb. 23, 1968; and two grandsons, Thomas J. Crump, April 3 , 1986, and Becton L. Byrd, June 16, 1978. Survivors include a daughter, Sandy Forinash, Wamego; a brother, Martin W. Forinash, Santa Clara, Calif.; and a granddaughter, Sarah Byrd, Knoxville, Tenn. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel followed by military honors by a Fort Riley Army Detail. Private interment will be in Prairie Home Cemetery. Mr. Forinash will lie in state after 3 p.m. today at the funeral home in North Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice House, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, 66606. Online condolences may be made at www.penwellgabel.com .