Philibert J. “Phil” Forrest, 89, Stratford, died on Monday, September 18, 2017 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 22 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stratford, with Rev. Sengole Vethanayagam officiating. Burial will take place in St. Adalbert’s Cemetery, Town of McMillan, Marathon County. The visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday at Sauter / Rembs Funeral Home, Stratford and from 10:00 am until service time on Friday at St. Joseph’s Church. A parish rosary service will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.

Phil was born on August 6, 1928 in Stratford, to Floyd and Katherine (Maguire) Forrest. He attended MacArthur School in the Town of Eau Pleine and was a 1947 graduate of Stratford High School.

Phil resided in Stratford his entire life, with the exception of nearly 4 years, when as a young man he worked in Rockford, IL where he married the love of his life, Virginia Ann Hooper on October 26, 1963 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. They started their family in Rockford and then returned to the Town of Eau Pleine where they purchased a dairy farm.

Phil spent his life working hard to provide for his family. He built a successful dairy farm that continues today under the leadership of his son, Brian.

As a young man, one of Phil’s greatest ambitions was to serve his country, so he was disappointed that a medical condition barred him from service in WWII. He greatly admired and respected all who served and had a lifelong interest in war history.

Phil was selfless, kind, and gentle. He always took care of others without any desire for recognition. He was especially proud to contribute to medical research at every opportunity.  Not only was he a lifelong blood donor but in his later years, he spent much of his time and energy participating in a TAVR heart valve study at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee and a sleep apnea study at Marshfield Medical Center. He truly hoped that his participation would benefit others.

Phil is survived by his wife, Ginny, and their children, Cathy (Kelton) Wilhite of Scandinavia, Karen (Paul) Krings of Auburndale, David (Jane Crandall) Forrest of Madison, Brian (Elaine) Forrest of Stratford and Jeannie (Vince) Tichy of Stratford. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Huston Wilhite, Forrest Krings, Elizabeth (fiancé – Chris Kandler) Krings, Louisa, Liam and Lucas Forrest, Tate, Saige, Cole and Meg Tichy. He is further survived by his brother, Gail Forrest of Marshfield, his sister, Ruth (Tony – deceased) Mule’ of Rockford, IL, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Vic and Rosemary Tewes, Tom and Bonnie Hooper, Dorothy and (Rodger -deceased) Sandven, Betty and Jon Hart, Pat and Ron Wallace and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers, Paul, Leonard, Patsy, Ray and Lee Forrest a sister, Mary Forrest, a brother-in-law Bob Hooper and nephews, Don Gillette, Bob Gillette, Michael Mule’ and Robert Forrest.

Memorials may be directed to Marshfield Medical Research Foundation.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com