- Date Of Birth: November 16, 1923
- Date Of Death: February 23, 2008
- State: Illinois
Jonathan T. Force, 84 years, of Virginia, IL and formerly of Chandlerville, IL died Saturday evening, February 23, 2008 at Heritage Manor East in Beardstown, IL from age related illness.
He was born November 16, 1923 in Chandlerville, IL; the son of William and Ruby Pearl Mason Force. He married Lorna Jean Dawson on April 22, 1950 in Pickett, AR and she preceded in death June 3, 2007.
He is survived by two daughters, Gloria Gay Force of Jacksonville and Vickie Sue Anderson (husband, Dan) of Springfield, MO; a son, Mark Anthony Force (wife, Sheila) of Virginia; a son by a previous marriage, Tommie Alaimo (wife, Norie) of Pittsview, AL; seven grandchildren, Terry Jon Anderson (wife, Angie) of Springfield, MO, James Cody Anderson (wife, Chrissy) of Springfield, MO, Shawn Michael Force (wife, P.J.) Of Jacksonville, Renee Hagloch (husband, Charles) of Washington, Anthony Knight Force of Virginia, Tommie Alaimo Jr. (Wife, Jeannie) of Long Island, NY, and Kayla Harris (husband, Jimmie) of Marseilles; 16 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Terry Wayne Force; a grandson, Mark Daniel Force; three brothers, Russell, Virgil, and Robert Force; and a sister, Budella Force Babb.
Mr. Force was devoted to his family and a friend to many in surrounding communities. His love of hunting is legendary as he is best known to many as the â??man who bagged the first legal deer in Illinois during 1957″. He was also an avid duck hunter and served as a duck hunting guide for Barkhausen Hunting Lodge in Mason County. He was a frequent guest of the Deer and Turkey Classic each year and was honored by its promoters for his contribution to future deer hunters. He was also a fisherman and amateur archaeologist.
He has donated many artifacts to Dickson Mounds and helped locate several Indian burial mounds in Cass County. He was know for his excellent carpentry skills, having built several homes in the area. He served with the US Army during WW II in the European Theater. A life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he was a member of VFW Post 1239 of Beardstown and a former commander of the Virginia VFW Post.
