Doris J. Holaday

Doris June Holaday, 85, of Forreston, IL, went to be with the Lord on March 15, 2026, at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL. She was born on December 4, 1940, in rural Forreston, IL to Martin A. and Elvera G. (Abels) DeVries. She married Edwin D. Holaday on July 27th, 1968, at Forreston Grove Church in Forreston, IL. Ed passed away September 9, 2023.

She attended Gravel Hill School and graduated from Forreston High School in 1958. She attended the University of Dubuque. She worked at Singer Sewing department store in Freeport and Micro-Switch before returning to college.

She graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1966 and then taught in West Chicago for four years. Later she worked for Byron Schools as a teacher’s aide and substitute teacher from 1979-2000.

After retirement, she and Ed traveled in a motor home for several years. Doris was active in the choir at Middle Creek Church, the Kindred Heart Stitchers, Session and Deacons Sunday School teaching and Navigators Group.

She is survived by her stepdaughter Eddy (Tom) Grove of Benton Harbor, MI; two sons, Chad (Lisa Fernandez) of Byron, IL and Alan (Barbara) of Oregon; grandchildren, Sarah, Ethan, Gracie, Micah, Addie and Wyatt; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, mother, husband, son Brett (Becky) Holaday, brother Rich (Evelyn) DeVries, and sister Barbara (Jerry) Zuspann.

The Funeral will be held at Forreston Grove Church on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. A visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Forreston Grove Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Doris’ memory for Serenity Hospice Home.