Service:
A Celebration of Life is being planned on June 13,
2017 at the First Baptist Church in Camden, Indiana
Funeral home: Quiram Peasley Funeral Home,
Atlanta
Obituary
Forrest Lee Appleton, 73, went to be with the Lord
Friday morning January 27, 2017. Lee was born on
June 13, 1943 in Logansport, Indiana to Forrest Leo
and Hanna Appleton (nee Fultz), both preceding him
in death. He was raised in Camden, IN along with his
three brothers.
Upon graduation from Camden High School, Lee
attended Purdue University for two years and played
trumpet in the band before he enlisted in the Marine
Corps in 1964 at the age of 20. A Vietnam veteran,
1965-1966, Lee reached the rank of Staff Sergeant
while serving his country at Camp Pendleton,
California and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry
Point, North Carolina where he met his bride to be
Geraldine ‘Gerre’ Higgins. He completed his service
at the Pentagon for the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
leaving active duty in 1971.
Lee and Gerre moved to Stanford, Illinois where he
began working for State Farm Insurance in
Bloomington, and raising three children, Forrest
David, Theodore ‘Ted’ Appleton, and Laura Shuler nee
Appleton.
He also worked for Mitsubishi Motors and as a truck
driver, a profession he enjoyed while in high school
and college.
Lee was also very active in his community as a
Freemason since the age of 21 in the Scottish
Rights, 32nd Degree, belonged to the Bloomington
Consistory, and the Minier Comet Lodge. He
participated in the passion play at the Consistory,
enjoyed woodworking, shooting, and was a historian
and published author. |
Later in his life, Lee researched and published
multiple articles and books on the railroad system
in Indiana and historical articles pertaining to
central Indiana where he grew up. He also spent as
much time as he could loving on and enjoying his
grandchildren.
Loved and respected by all who met him, Lee Appleton
was a man of honor, loyalty, and integrity, believed
in hard work, a good friend of many, and a provider
for his family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Gerre,
brothers Dean, Brian, and Bill Appleton, sons Dave
and Ted Appleton, daughter Laura Shuler (Kevin
Shuler), and eight grandchildren; Amber Kasner, Alek,
Kendra, Alyana, and Talon Appleton, Gavin, Carlee,
and Aubrey Shuler.
A Celebration of Life is being planned on June 13,
2017 at the First Baptist Church in Camden, Indiana
and he will be interred in a family plot at the
Camden Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the
Shriner's Hospital for Children.
Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home is assisting the family
with arrangements.
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family of Forrest L. Appleton |