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Milton W. Forrester, 91, of O’Fallon, IL, born January 29, 1926 in Belleville, IL passed away on November 2, 2017 in O’Fallon, IL.

Milton was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 and the US Army from 1951 to 1955. Milton was employed by IBM. After 30 years of service, he retired as a Field Engineer Specialist. His job took him to locations all over the world. Milton made an immeasurable contribution to countless others seeking to overcome alcohol addiction. He spoke at AA National Conventions, prisons, colleges and high schools. He was proud of his 38 years of sobriety. Milton enjoyed adventure; he was an avid ocean fisherman. He also was an avid bowler and was on the 1956 California State Championship Team. He raised Appaloosa Horses for 20 years in Three Points, California and was a cowboy at heart.

Early Thursday afternoon, while the sun was high, our Milton rode out alone toward the big rodeo in the sky. As he departed he had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. Good bye sweet cowboy…happy trails. You see, to Milt, being a cowboy was a state of mind. To him it was a source of self esteem, pride and ego. From the movie houses of Milt’s youth he had been brainwashed to emulate his heroes. Milt, like a lot of kids young and old, came to believe that cowboys were the last real heroes. He always wanted to be just like them and eventually he succeeded. In time, he became an honorable, kind, and loving man. A most caring person. A great friend to many and a noble cowboy.
In Milt’s honor, please give a few unselfish moments of your time to someone who would benefit from your loving attention. Milton would like that.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur Francis and Adele Forrester, nee Kohler; and brother-in-law, Raoul Benesh.

Milton is survived by one sister, LaVeeda Marian Benesh of O’Fallon, IL; two nephews, Terry Lee Wray of O’Fallon, IL, Steven Raoul (Renee Darlington) Benesh of St. Louis, MO; five great nieces and nephews, Nicole (Jason) Lane, Amanda Rae (John) Kistner, Clinton Joseph (Christina) Benesh, Terry (Chrystine Cox) Wray II and Rachel Ayn Benesh; four great-great nieces and nephews, Caden Lane, Jalynn Lane, Barrett Benesh, and Iris Wray.

The family wishes to thank the Colonnades and Heartland Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion given to Milton.

Memorials may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous at General Service Office, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral services.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home, O’Fallon, IL.

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