Vern Melvin Forke, 68, of Whiting, Iowa, unexpectedly left this world Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
A funeral service will be 1:00 P.M. Monday, October 23, 2023, at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel, in Onawa, Iowa, with Mike Kennedy, officiating. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Vern’s obituary. Casual clothing is requested for those attending the visitation and the service. Burial will follow in the Belvidere Cemetery in Turin, Iowa. The family would like to invite everyone out to the Onawa Country Club after the committal service. A visitation will be 5:00-7:00 P.M. Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel in Onawa, Iowa. The family would like to invite everyone out to the Onawa Country Club after the visitation. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments in Onawa, Iowa.
Vern was born July 28, 1955, in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Vernice Herman and Lila Mae (Ricke) Forke. He attended Carroll Public School. Vern enjoyed hunting when he was younger. Vern and Sandi Schuette were married and to this union, two children were born Nichole and Brian.
Vern and Shannon Kaye Carpenter were united into marriage on September 1, 2001, in Carroll, Iowa. Shannon’s children joined this union, Amanda, Makayla, and Michael.
He was a truck driver for many years.
Vern enjoyed golf, music, movies, and watching NFL. It always depended on the day of what team he would cheer for while watching football. He was a dirty griller and loved to cook. He was known as Papa to everyone. Vern loved spending time with his family and was good at telling stories and jokes.
Survivors include his wife, Shannon Forke of Whiting, Iowa; children, Nichole (Shawn) Schafer, Brian Forke, Amanda (Myles) Valencia, Makayla Carpenter, and Michael (Haylee) Utterback; special furry babies, Zoey and Zeus; grandchildren, Lucas (Sophia) Leinen, Tyler Schafer, Ayden Schafer, Sylver McCall, Landon McCall, Samuel Valencia, Kennedy Valencia, Ellie Valencia, CeCe Valencia, Bohdi Valencia, Brady Forke, Marshall Utterback, and Westyn Utterback; siblings, Veda (Norman) Stougard, Joan (Bill) Anderson, Lynn (Sandy) Forke, and Gary (Kathy) Forke; parents-in-law, Mike and Sharon Carpenter; fourteen nieces and nephews; a lot of great nieces and nephews; and cousins, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernice and Lila (Ricke) Forke; brothers, Lyle Forke, Glen Forke, and Dale Forke; and sister, Jean Vohnahme.
Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com
