John G. Forbes Sr.

November 29, 1947 - May 22, 2025

John G. Forbes Sr., 77, of Harpers Ferry, IA, formerly of Waterloo, IA, died Thursday, May 22, 2025, at his home in Harpers Ferry, IA. Friends may greet the family from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Saturday, May 31st, at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. Burial of cremains will be held at a later date in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo.

John Gary Forbes, Sr., was born November 29, 1947, in Waterloo, IA, the son of Lemuel and Mary (Abeln) Forbes. He attended Waterloo Schools. John worked at John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo for 30 years before retiring. In 1968, John married Shirley Allen in Waterloo. After he retired from John Deere he drove semi for Mihm Trucking, L & M Trucking and Pat Carolan. John owned and operated his own semi since 2015. He loved spending time in the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. John and Shirley loved to travel and spent several winters in Texas.

Survivors include his wife Shirley Forbes of Harpers Ferry; two sons: Mark (Bridget) Forbes of Postville, and Mike Forbes of Mt. Pleasant, IA; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law Sarah Monson of Ft. Atkinson. He is preceded in death by his parents; a son John Forbes, Jr.; three brothers: Willard “Bill”, Peryl, and David; and a sister Arlene Sturch.

Honorary casketbearers are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.