Forest Anthony Widel
Forest Anthony Widel had many interests, one of which was riding a horse to school.
“We lived out in the country, so depending how muddy the roads were he would either ride a horse or his motorcycle to school,” said Bonnie Rapp, one of Mr. Widel’s sisters.
Mr. Widel, of Columbia, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. He was 95.
Mr. Widel was born Nov. 21, 1913, in Lamine to Philip and Octa (Caton) Widel. He married Marie (Vaughan) Widel on Aug. 22, 1935, in Blackwater. He lived and farmed in the Blackwater area for 80 years before moving to Columbia. He was a longtime member of Blackwater Church of Christ and more recently at Fairview Road Church of Christ in Columbia.
Rapp said Mr. Widel loved flowers and enjoyed painting. He became interested in acrylic painting when he moved to Columbia and didn’t have the patience for oil painting. Mr. Widel also painted little rocks he found and gave them to family members.
Mr. Widel had an interest in traveling and ventured to places such as Nova Scotia and Alaska.
“He was interested in everything,” Rapp said. “He loved to travel after he retired and when he was able.”
Mr. Widel is survived by four children, Norma Tyree of Russellville, Ark., Philip Widel of Liberty, Kenneth Widel of Greeley, Colo., and Karen Blachly of Jonesboro, Ark.; three sisters, Elsie Price, Nettie Becker and Bonnie Rapp, all of Blackwater; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
His parents; his wife; and a grandson, Charles Blachly, died earlier.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Fairview Road Church of Christ, 201 S. Fairview Road. Burial will follow at Old Lamine Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fairview Road Church of Christ Building Fund, 201 S. Fairview Road, Columbia, MO 65201, or the Blackwater Preservation Society, 125 Main St., Blackwater, MO 65322.
