Forrest Dean Nash, 82 of Ionia passed away of natural causes on Wednesday March 5, 2008 at home on the centennial farm, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Forrest was born at home on September 5, 1925, the son of Edgar and Nettie (Gierman) Nash. With the exception of two years of military service when he proudly served his country in the United States Army as a quartermaster in the European Theater, Forrest spent the remaining 80 years on the family farm. He was married to Betty Taylor on December 26, 1948. A devoted farm wife and mother of five, Betty passed away in May of 1966. Forrest married Elaine (VanBuren) Hager on July 15, 1972. Together Forrest and Elaine raised their 9 children on the family dairy farm. When Forrest returned home from his military service, the family farm had undergone a significant change; electricity had been installed in the barn. The days of farming in his life would eventually change from draft horses and thrashing machines to tractors and combines. He was known by the farming community as the man with seven sons, all of whom helped with field work and chores, but the milking was done by him exclusively. Forrest had a date every morning and night with his Holstein girls. Forrest was a man of faith, and a public servant of the Ionia community. He was a member of the LeValley United Methodist Church and a life member of VFW post 5065 in Sheridan. He served as Justice of the Peace for Orange Township, was on the FHA Advisory Board, the Orange Township Board of Review, ASCS Committee, and Balcom Cemetery Board. Beginning early in his life, Forrest enjoyed being an active participant in the Ionia County 4-H and FFA Chapter. Through the years his children and grandchildren have proudly followed in his footsteps. In 2006, he was presented with an Honorary Chapter FFA degree. Forrest had a passion for livestock and farm auctions which he shared with all of his children. Gifted with a special talent, he was a self-taught auctioneer. Forrest used this skill to help benefit numerous organizations and charities by volunteering to do auctions for churches, the Ionia Free Fair 4-H small animal and gallon of milk sales, Ionia Free Fair open class pie and cake auction, the Boy Scouts and family reunions. Forrest and Elaine devoted their lives to God, family, and farming. Forrest was a hard working man, and together with Elaine they worked the 250 acre farm until their retirement in recent years. Their efforts and dedication in the field of agriculture were recognized on September 2, 1998, when Forrest and Elaine were inducted into the Michigan Farmers’ Hall of Fame. Forrest was well known for his extraordinary ability to know and remember people and their family history throughout the course of his life. He was also proficient in his knowledge and comprehension of the farm markets. Forrest’s legacy is his family. He is survived by his loving wife Elaine and their children; Phil, Duane (Chris), David (Connie), and Paul (Connie) Nash; Kris Brigham; Lee (Laura), Diane, Randy, and Rick (Mary) Hager. Forrest is also survived by his loving grandchildren; Sara, Adam, Betty Jo, Todd (Stacy), Kory, and Jared Nash; Ben, Jordan, Charles, Shelly, Megan, Jessy, Patty, Kenny, and Bethy Hager; Michael and Lyndsee Cerny; 5 great-grandchildren, sister Greta (Clark) Parsons and brothers Howard (Josephine) and Gordon Nash, son-in-law Bob Brigham, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Surviving also is sister-in-law Luella Nash and brothers-in-law Burton (Kay) and Donald Taylor. The boyfriends and girlfriends of his grandchildren dearly loved and admired him also. Forrest was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Cora, sister Vivian, brothers Raymond and Carl Nash, sister-in-law Beverly Nash and grandsons Aaron and Bryce Nash. Forrest will be sadly missed by those who loved him dearly, but they will find comfort in knowing that his final journey to God’s Kingdom of Heaven is complete. Funeral services will be 11 am Monday at LeValley United Methodist Church with Pastor Den Slattery officiating. Interment will be at Balcolm Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday 6-8pm and Sunday 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Ionia Chapel. Memorials may be given to the LeValley United Methodist Church and Ionia area Hospice. Online condolences may also be made at www.shraubenlehman.com.