Donald “Don” M. Forman

Kindness, integrity, strength of character, self-control, humility – these are just some of the words that define you Don. I am honored to have known you for 35+ years sharing life together as family. Your ways have influenced mine for the better.

As I contemplated my tribute to your life, this passage came to my heart. Jesus says in Matthew 5:5,
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

I learned a long time ago that the quaility of meekness simply defined means “Power under Godly control”. This is how I observed you Don both in the good times and the bad. Your affliction was long, yet you faced it head on with great strength and humility. You lived well under your circumstances, not becoming embittered by them, but rather accepting that in this world we will have troubles. You did your part with integrity to participate in your quality of life and well being. All the while, trusting that God would do His part, according to His will, in His time.

Life presents us with so many unanswered questions. I for one have many. But now Don, you have no more questions and all is well. I know I will see you again. And the inheritance of this earth will one day come, when Jesus returns to make all things right. Until then, thank you for making a lasting mark upon my life. You will surely be missed and always remembered with love.

Much Love,
Fran Reilly

I first came to know Don more recently as a Brother Knight in the Knights of Columbus at St. Timothy parish. And like so many others in our council and parish, I quickly learned of his incredible generosity and dedication to others who needed assistance. I also had the honor getting to knowing Don’s caring and gentle manner, as well as wit and absolute drive and dedication. His dedication to the Knights, St. Vincent De Paul Society and our parish was just remarkable!
Every Knight in our council, members of our parish and folks in our surrounding area have been touched and blessed and made so much better from his actions, knowing him and having been his friends. He will be deeply missed and cherished.
Mark Sippel, Past Grand Knight, KofC St. Timothy

Don Forman was a good and gentle man.

I met Don in the fall of 1969 when we both enrolled at Parks College in Cahokia Illinois. With an easy smile and an agreeable nature, I don’t believe he ever had any enemies.

While in school I drove an old Chevy and had the engine blow up after I owned it for a while. Don, in his easy way suggested “we” could replace the engine by buying one at a junkyard and installing it. So we found an engine and began the process of swapping it out. My part of changing the engine was handing him tools as he needed them.

At one point in the process he was stymied because we could not find a tool that we needed because of the unusual configuration. So he determined what we needed, went to the machine shop and created the tool. It worked and we installed the engine. Two days later school ended and I went on an extended road trip. I drove the car until I finished school.

He accepted my thanks and nothing more.

After graduation we all dispersed and I would hear of Don occasionally over the years. Unfortunately, I never kept in close contact. But I remember him as a fine man with creative mechanical abilities.

The world has lost some of its shine with his passing. May he rest in peace.

Ruperto Alba

To Don’s family,
I was very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I was a pilot with Hallmark cards and worked with Don for a number of years.
He kept our aircraft in excellent condition, and it was a pleasure working with him. My sincere condolences to everyone in his family.
Larry Robertson

I first met Don 53 years ago in college. While not roommates, our dorm rooms were on the same floor. For most of us it was our first time away from home; so a number of us partied quite often. Not Don. He attended class during the day and worked a near full time job in evenings. When he did return to the dorm, around 10pm; he would pop into a room where we were partying , say hi and then off to study. Rarely did he join us. College was serious business for Don, as he was working to make it happen. So the nickname we gave Don was “Wildman” yet clearly he was not.
Don met Pat there at school. I, along with other College buds attended their wedding, fifty years ago this month.
We each went our separate ways after school. And I lost touch with him for about 20 years.
After serving 20 years in the Air Force, I got a flying job in Kansas City, at the downtown airport. One day the intercom system in the hangar, barked out “Don Forman you have a phone call on line two.” I thought, I know a Don Forman.
We reconnected.
I remember vividly the day Don collapsed in the Hallmark hangar well after everyone had left. Pat came to the rescue. That was, as I recall, the beginning of his long battle.
When we were both in town, we would attend Wednesday noon mass downtown, right next to the Hallmark building. We lunched together and shared stories about the good old days.
Don’s faith was strong and he never abandoned his Lord and Savior, even through all of his struggles. He is with the Lord today; I’m certain.
While we called Don “Wildman “ …. A more appropriate nickname might be “Superman”.
He will be missed by many.
May The Peace of Christ comfort the family and friends he left behind.

John “herm” Belanger

Pat,Katie and Raul and Casey, We all are so sorry for your great loss.Don had been a life long
friend to us for over 40 plus years. We know God said for Don to take His Hand and I will give
final peace my faithful friend. Your entire family is in our deepest prayers and thoughts.Bless
you all. Marge,Luke,Shawn and Jessica Buser. STL.MO

Don never knew this, but he rescued me once! This wasn’t long after you and Don were married, and I was taking a walk down the hill of our long driveway at the farm just after dark. I had just turned around to head back up to the house, when there was a loud noise behind me. I swung around…and froze. Being out in the country, alone, in the dark, so close to an isolated road, my heart racing…my imagination grabbed me. I must’ve been there at least 10 minutes, frozen with fear, straining to see what was there, in the dark, so close and so loud. Suddenly, headlights came over that little hill on the road in front of our farm, and slowly, creepily, came closer and closer…it was Don, coming to talk to Dad! He stuck his head out the window to ask me if I was ok. Always sweet, always kind, always gentle, always steady Don! He kept behind me as I walked back to the house, his headlights showing me everything would be ok. MY HERO! I never did know what that noise was, but I did know this…that was just the beginning of Don proving over 50 years that I had another brother I could always trust! Don never failed to ‘shine the light’ on a safe course home. He always faithfully served and loved you, Pat my sister, your kids Paul and Katie, us your sibs, his sisters, brother, nieces and nephews, the church, the ministry, the Lord…and I’m sure still is!

Don was a great man to be around. He was very pleasant and easy going. I never saw Don get mad at anyone or for any reason. I was fortunate to spend all 20 years at Garrett with Don. It was good times and great memories. Then I had the pleasure of having Don as a customer with Hallmark. Don was very good at his job with Garrett and Hallmark. Our thoughts and prayers are with Don’s family. He is in a better place with no pain.

Regards,
Bud & Sharon Saputo