Forrest Edward Chanay 90, of Killbuck, Ohio was called home to be with the Lord on May 6, 2026. He was surrounded by many members of his loving family and wonderfully skilled care.

He entered this world on January 1, 1936, in Blissfield, Ohio to Russell and Mary (Mizer) Chanay. He graduated from Killbuck High School in 1953. He enlisted in the US Army and served as a MP and SGT in Japan during the Cold War.

After returning home he married his first wife and had five children. Ellen (Dean) Dotson of Magnolia, Blaine (Kimberly) Chanay of Wooster, Carrie Miller of Killbuck, Amy (Wes) Maxwell of Millersburg, and Aaron (Danielle) Chanay of Loudonville. He had 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

On April 9, 1994 he married his soulmate Marsha Schodorf Pyers and then became Poppy and Pappa to his bonus family, Jonell (Jack) Garrett of Hanover, PA, Kris Pyers (Heather Guptill) of Shreve, Ohio, Jeremy (Denise) Pyers of Hanover, PA, Tiffany Shelly (Terry Lambert) of Wadsworth, Ohio, Melanie (Dan) Ody III of Scio, Ohio, Sandy (Prescott) Marble of Marietta, GA and Michael (Lisa) Moffett of Richfield, Wisconsin, 18 grandchildren and 18 greatgrandchildren.

He was a historian and presenter in the Civil War, and WWII periods. He loved anything related to Veterans and believed every veteran deserved respect and especially a headstone. This led him and Marsha to research all Holmes County cemeteries and locate unmarked graves, which then led to finding missing soldiers from our area, together they located over 200 of our local soldiers. He made it possible that 24 headstones have been placed and orders are ready for more in our local cemeteries.

Forrest served on the Tri County and Ashland Career Center School Boards for over 40 years and was instrumental in achieving many of their goals. He worked at Flexible Company for over 38 years and retired from there.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Bonnie Atha, a brother Walter Chanay, stepchildren Jonell Garrett and Michael Moffett, and 3 nephews.

He is survived by his wife Marsha, his children, stepchildren, and all the grandchildren and great grandchildren, a sister Marilyn Jones of Killbuck, and several nephews and nieces and a soul brother Leonard (Marlene) Keith of Marshallville, Ohio.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday May 14th at Alexander Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held 12 noon Friday May 15th at Killbuck Methodist Church with Pastor Ken Smailes officiating. Burial will follow at Killbuck Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Millersburg American Legion Post 192 and Killbuck VFW Post 7079.

Memorial contributions may be made to Killbuck Methodist Church or the Forrest Chanay Scholarship at Heartland Technical Education Center.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.alexanderfhinc.com.