Beth Alice Forbes passed away September 9, 2011. She was born May 25, 1937 in Muncie, the only child of Ralph and Nilah Brooking. She graduated from Albany High School with the Class of 1955. She attended Ball State University and later married Donald E. "Bud" Forbes of New Castle, IN and he preceded her in death on May 11, 2002, shortly after they had celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. They spent the early years of their marriage in Albany before moving to Muncie after the death of her parents.
Beth worked for 28 years at Sears and enjoyed her work and the people there as well as her S.A.P.S. Club. She attended Gethsemane Church and was a member of the Pairs and Spares Class. She volunteered at Ball Memorial Hospital and in the office at church after she retired. She was an avid reader and always had two or more books that she was reading. She loved to cook and bake, and enjoyed going out to eat with family and friends. She had a great sense of humor and laughed easily. She enjoyed traveling and she and Bud camped out in many states. She loved the Smokey Mountains, autumn, the Indianapolis Colts and her beloved dog, Lexie, who was always by her side.
Beth and Bud were blessed with four wonderful children; Kimberly Hartsock (husband Jim) of Zionsville, IN, Jeff Forbes (wife Sheila) of Wheeling, IN, Kristi Royal (husband Joe) of Muncie, and Susie Ashby (husband Troy), of Royerton, IN. They were the proud grandparents of Eric (fianc Katie Shone) and Kyle Hartsock, Aaron Kraus (fianc Beth Bales), Matt and Nick Royal, and Lucas Perkins; great grandsons, Rylan and Hunter Kraus; sisters-in-law, Ruth Hawk and Loretta VanMatre; several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. State Rd. 3, Muncie, 47303 with visitation on Monday, September 12, 2011 from 3:00PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Beth requested memorial contributions to Riley Children''s Hospital, A.R. F., or the charity of one''s choice.