Michael Kent Fortner

Just saw this sad news via MO State Alumni Mag.
Mike was a real competitor on the football field. Never back down.
Gave out hits, the way he took hits on the field and prectice. Tough but a wonderful Bear both on and off the field. Good man, all around as I remember him in 73' & 74'. Peace + be with you Mike. Clearly, Mike lived a blessed life and has seved his master + well.
RIP .....

So sorry to hear of Mike's death. My condolences to his family for their loss.
We have lost a fine man.

Diana, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

When I am gone, release me, let me go I have so many things to see and do. You mustn't tie yourselves to me with tears, just be happy that we had some years. I gave you my love, you can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it's time I traveled on alone. Do grieve a while for me if you must then let your grief be comforted by trust. It's only for a while that we must part, so keep our memories within your hearts. I won't be far away, for life goes on, so if you need me call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me I'll be near, and if you listen with your heart you will hear, all of my love around so soft and dear. And then when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and say welcome home.-UNKNOWN-

You fought the good fight mike. Godspeed

I am so sorry to hear that Mike has passed on. He was such a true blue guy with great standards. A great person to just be around. The Fortners made me feel so welcome when I married into the family. He will be truely missed and not forgotten. Prayers to the Fortner family. God Bless.

Diana and Family. May God Be With You at this time of sorrow. Mike was a wonderful person and will not be forgotten. May God Be with Your Family for years to come.

To your Sons:
I knew your Dad & Mother well and You guys had not just a Dad, you had a Father that was a Great One!!Your Mother is my friend and I sent her my Love & prayers...

So sorry to hear Mike has passed away. Diana and your family my prayers are with you.

Diana,
Sam & I are both so sad about Mike. I know he was so brave in handling his illness and, as always, he remained Mike to everyone. And I am so sorry we couldn't be with you, but our dog was put down this morning at our house. We, also, are grieving. Our prayers are with you and your family. Mike was one of the good guys out there!!
Your Friend
Saundra Whaley-Nigliazzo and Sam Nigliazzo

I had the good fortune to meet and work with Mike at the fairgrounds for many years. You will be hard pressed to find a finer man than Mike. He always had a smile and good word for everyone and interacted with people with grace and love. Prayers for you, Diana, and all Mike's family.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I will be forever grateful that Mike and Diana Fortner were a part of that village for my now adult children, Kristopher Keller and Tara Williams Keller. It's unusual for teenagers to never have a negative thing to say about their employers, but mine never did about Mike and Diana. They were inspired by their integrity, high standards, and most of all their true care for every young person they employed. Diana, know that you and Mike have touched many, many lives in a wholly positive way. May God provide you with peace that is only possible through Him during this difficult time.

To the Fortner family, our prayers and thoughts are with you.

It was a privilege to have met Mike and Diana at Hillcrest High School. Their life together was such an example of kindness to others. May God hold the Fortner family close to His heart.

diana my prayers go out to you and your family. mike always had a smile on his face for everyone, maybe he will be one of the first to greet in heaven

Diana, May God give you strength during this time. Mike was a terrific guy. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Mike was my first boss the A&W stand at the fair. He was the best corn dog dipper teacher ever. He and his wife were amazing people and Mr. Mike will be greatly missed. Heavens got a new angel. May God be with your family. Adrienne Adams

I remember Mike and Diana from school. As a recent widow you are in my thoughts and prayers.

He was my first boss. I was one of those Hornets who worked at the fair. I have had many bosses since 1986 but none could surpass that Fortner family.

Such a great man! My first job was working for him, great times and memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fortner family.

The Freeman and Fortner family worked together for generations. Thank you all for the lessons in hard work, fairness, FAIRness and love of family.

His battle fought, his victory has been won. Now Mike can rest and be at peace while he waits for his family and friends. He was a wonderful man, and he and Diana have been an inspiration to us all. We were so lucky to have known him. I can't help but smile as I read all the many messages on this guest book and thinking about all the lives that have been touched. I have never seen so many entries in a guest book and Mike certainly deserves them all!

So Thankful that I was able to know Mike. He was inspiring to all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Diana and the entire family
Sinerely
Carol Erwin, formerly with BancorpSouth Bank

Mike and his wife Diana were great inspirations to my wife and me when we were first married. We left Springfield but moved back over 20 years later. They continued to be inspirations to us. Mike was a gentle soul who loved Jesus and always would give you a smile and a good word. He will be greatly missed.

You will be missed by everyone you touched. A true BEAR and who we think of all of time. God Speed. Our thoughts and prayers to your family.

Although not my first job at 16 I worked at A&W and loved it. I enjoy it from the get go and Fortner was a kind and great man. May God give the family comfort and peace during this time. May God Bless you also!

Fortner Family, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great man who did a lot for his community and lots of young people and will be greatly missed

Mike was one of the finest men I have ever known. We feel so blessed that he and Diana shared a night with us in Dallas while visiting Anthony. He was a great mentor to so many young people in Springfield, a wonderful dad and grand dad. Being a man of God, we know Mike is in heaven and we pray that fact brings comfort to Diana and all the family. We choose not to morn but to celebrate the joy of the wonderful life lived by Mike.

My heart goes out to the Fortner family ... WONDERFUL MAN MIKE WAS!! RIP MIKE!!

The Big Boy was a good friend and teammate throughout our lives. He was a great man, husband and father who will be missed. Remember the good times and let those times put a smile on your face--that's what he would have wanted.

I went to school with Mike and Diana was my first best friend. We meant at Watkins and I would talk with them when I saw them at one of their Pineapple Whips. Mike was one of the nicest and giving people I have known. He always had a big smile for you. He is loved and remember by all of us.

My first job was working with my mom out at the fairgrounds. We had a blast. Mike will be dearly missed. He had such a positive impact on all he came in contact with. Praying God will comfort all the family during this time.

Mike was my first Royal Ranger commander as a child. He was a role model of Godly leadership for as long as I knew him and I loved seeing him every time I came back to visit.

So sad to learn of Mike's passing. My condolences to all of the family.

My first job was at the A&W at the fairgrounds. What a wonderful family. So sorry for your loss.

We can remember taking Tyler to his first job at the fair after 8th grade. We appreciate all Mike did for him and the numerous other kids that worked there over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fortner family.

Diana and family...what a courageous and wonderful man you were blessed to have with you. He fought a strong battle. My prayers are with you and your family. May God give you the strength you need.

Diana and Family...Mike holds the love and admiration of a host a people whose lives he touched. A hard-working and fun-loving man, he was always a source of encouragement. Jo and I pray that you and your loved ones are comforted by knowing that Mike is rejoicing in the presence of the Lord!

Sandy (Caples) and I were two of those A&W kids...God's blessings on your family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dear Ones: Especially Dan, Lovena, Diana and Danna, ma God grant peace, comfort and strength as you travel through this valley. God is good. You will see him again. Love, Marie

Smiles and fun memories flood my heart when thinking of Mike and the Fortner family...what a great legacy to leave with so many...I too spent many an hour pouring root beer and making corn dogs when I was a teen...great memories! Lasting impressions...You will be dearly missed.

I first met Mike and Diane many years ago in Sunday School. What an amazing guy! He will be missed by many. Our lives are all richer because of the love of Jesus he showed each of us. Prayers for the family and loved ones.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Fortner family. I am so sorry for your loss. So thankful that you will see him again one day when you are reunited in Heaven with Jesus!

Diana and Family, You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I do not think that I would have the work ethic that I have now without the influences of Mike. Remember the good times and know that his legacy lives on though the lives of many a teen that he mentored.

Mike was such an amazing man. He spoke into our kids lives and we will be eternally grateful for his friendship and Godly example. He will be greatly missed!

What a wonderful guy and family. My prayers for you Diana and your children. May your happy memories bring you peace in the coming days.

you will be missed,as much as you are loved,
One of the best people I have ever known
your family is lucky to have had you, and I think those 3 boys will be just as good as Mike was. Such a awesome family man and so proud of those grandkids, God speed Mike

I first met Mike during AGWM Pre-Field Orientation and School of Missions; that was quite a few years ago. He and his staff were catering food for MuKappa/Boot Camp, and I was the contact person in MK Office to get the schedule set with him and all. What a genuine, godly man. I remember his first cancer diagnosis and feeling so sad that he had to go through that. Then as time went by and he continued to battle through the bad days and celebrate the good ones, I never lost touch with him. I would check in with him at Central Assembly when he was there (which was almost always; he was faithful to a fault). Mike has been one of my favorite people over the years, and he will continue to live in my memory. Someday, Mike, I'll see you again where life is perfect and there is no more suffering. My prayers will be lifting up Mike's family and close friends during this time.

My prayers go out to the family of Mike, both near and far. Mike was an excellent example of what a son, husband, father and friend should be. Mike has now received his reward.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I'm sure Mike is already celebrating and catching up with friends and relatives who went before, but those of us who are still here are going to miss him. He was a great example of what a Christian man should be, and a great friend. He handled the last few years of medical hardship with dignity and a positive attitude, thankful for the extra time to spend with family and to get to know his grandchildren.

Diana, I know I didn't see you except at the fair and even at that, that was infrequent. I remember meeting you and Mike at Central Assembly back in the early 80's when we moved into town. You two befriended us and invited us over to your house for dinner. My heart is heavy at your loss and new journey, BUT God will faithfully be there for you and the family.

Prayers, thoughts, and lots of love.

We are so Blessed to have our Family, You were a inspiration to us all. Love from your Kansas City Cousins
Gwynn, Ginger, Don, Gini, Amy and Emily

Our love and prayers are with you Diana.Mike will be missed.

Mike gave me my first seasonal job working in a funnel cake stand at the Ozarks Empire Fair. Great memories!

I just heard of mikes passing, we are so sorry to hear of it. Mike was enjoyed by anyone he came in contact with. We enjoyed knowing and working for him, he is in our prayers. The zvolaneks Rick, Amy, Eddie, Ricky jr.

Zach and Jenn, so sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for God's comfort for you and your family.

So sorry for your loss. We will be praying for you and your family.

I'm sorry about your loss.

Diana and family - we are so sad by your loss. Mike had such a huge impact on the youth of our community. He will be missed. The Boatright family - Ken, Edie, Jeremiah and Matt

Mike's spirit will live on in all of the many lives he touched. I am very thankful for the years of friendship.

Diana - Even though we didn't see you very often, I will always remember our fun family gatherings with the Collins and Fortners in Springfield. You and your family are in our prayers.

Mike is in Heaven, but his spirit will live on here through Diana, his sons ,family, and friends. He touched us all with his goodness, faithfulness, strength and humor. He will always be loved dearly.

We are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. What an enduring example of a life well-lived. Asking God to provide you with strength, support, and comfort as only He can.

Mark & Melanie Box

Diana, Mike was a special guy and such an inspiration. He will be so missed. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Love you, Bob and Mary Jo Burbee

What a wonderful role model he and Diana were to all the young people they employed. He was such a warrior for Jesus, who carried him through this valley. You will be dearly missed driving by our house!

Diana, Praying that God will hold you and your family tight in his arms at this time. Mike was a great man and a Godly man and you will always have wonderful memories. Sending our love.

Michael and played against each other many times. He was always a very nice guy. I first met Mike and his father at the YMCA.

I am just heartbroken over your loss. What a testimony of faith and endurance he has provided. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and pray that you will find peace in knowing he is walking side by side with Christ and will forever be in your hearts.

It was an honor to have known this Fine Man!!We pray for God's comforting embraces for Diana and the Family.

Diana and family you are in my prayers. The Lord will get you through anything. Hold on to your memories and he will be with you always.
Janna West Conway

Mike, you were an inspiration to us all, both before and during your long ordeal. Blessings on your faithful family!

Lloyd & Nita Colbaugh

iam sorry to hear about mike we though a lot of him and so did both of my boys robb y and chris

I remember him as just a young man working at the A&W on Kearney. He was always a joy. My heart breaks for the family's loss. My God comfort you at this time of great sorrow. Love to all

Sad to hear of the passing of a fellow Bear. Michael and I were in school together in the '70s. May the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand at this difficult time.

Missing our dear friend ... Hugs & prayers for our extended Fortner family. There for u in whatever way! Peace & Blessings .....

Such a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and
friend. His courage will not be forgotten. Gale Boutwell

I remember Mike as a gentleman in high school. His father Dan gave me my first job. You will be missed, love and hugs to your family. I am so sorry for your temporary separation, but you will see him again. I thank God for your wonderful memories!

So sorry to hear of Mike's death. Have good memories of playing with Mike as a child as my parents would visit with Dan and Lovena in their home. From a second cousin.