James F. Forch

SIOUX CITY -- James F. Forch, 69, of Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Sioux City, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at his residence in Sioux Falls, comforted by his family. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 24, 2011 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, with the Revs. Walter Greene and Doris McCormick of Word of Life Ministries officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation with the family present will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with a candle-lighting service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences may be posted at www.meyerbroschapels.com. James was born Oct. 12, 1941, in Anthon, Iowa, the son of Albert R. and Margaret B. (Leahy) Forch. He graduated from Anthon High School in 1960. James was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1963 and honorably discharged in 1965. James married Valta Oline Williams on Nov. 27, 1968, in Dallas, Texas. They would have celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary this year. They moved to Anthon in 1968, and to Sioux City in 1970. James was employed with the State of Iowa for 32 years, retiring in 2003. He was a member of House of Praise and Word of Life Church in Decatur, Neb., and Sioux City. He was saved in 1979 and baptized Dec. 31, 1979. James was a deacon for both churches. He served on the board of directors for Word of Life from 1982 to 2011. James was actively involved with the Gospel Mission for 17 years in Sioux City, as well as the Food Bank of Siouxland. He enjoyed fishing, working with his tractor, watching John Wayne movies and doing carpentry. Survivors include his wife, Valta Oline Forch; a daughter, Jill (Matt) Walker of Sioux Falls; a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Oline Walker; three sisters, Mary Jo Dicks of Menomonie, Wis., CeCelia (Jim) Karhoff of Anthon and Kay Jane (Jim) Fredericks of Shenandoah, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Opal Forch of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John and Vincent; a sister, Margaret Ann Rorak; two brothers-in-law, Richard Rorak and Archie Dicks Jr.; and a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Forch. The family requests no flowers for the service.