Forrest Ray Pruner

Forrest Ray Pruner, 92
Forrest Ray Pruner, 92 of Shiloh passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Brethren Care Village with his family by his side.
He was born on January 18, 1932 in Ashland County the son of the late Harold Franklin and Ruth Catherine (nee McCormic) Pruner.
Forrest graduated from Union High School, Class of 1950. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict as heavy weapons specialists in his infantry. Forrest was honorably discharged in 1953.
He married the love of his life, the former, Sally Lu Shillito on September 11, 1954.
Forrest earned his bachelor's degree in education from Ashland College in 1957 and earned his master's degree in 1962 from Bowling Green University.
Forrest retired after more than 30 years from Crestview Local Schools where he taught Physical Education, Driver's Education, Health and General Science. He began his career at Union School in 1957. Throughout his career, he coached track, cross country, and basketball. Along with his time at Crestview, Forrest also coached track at Lexington school district. For more than 50 years Coach Pruner has not only educated young minds, but taught life lessons to his student athletes that they remember to this day.
After retiring from teaching, he began his second career as a sales representative for Modern Woodmen of America in November of 1985.
On January 28, 1983, Forest was honored by his induction into the Ohio Track & Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame and on September 12, 1998 he was inducted into the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame.
He was a devoted member of Grace Brethren Church in Ashland where he started the Upward Basketball Program. Both Forrest and Sally have been recently attending Faith Church.
Forrest is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mrs. Sally Pruner of Shiloh; four children, Debra Pruner of Shiloh, Keith (Karen) Pruner of Ashland, Scott (Debbie) Pruner of Mansfield, and Daphne Galloway of Ashland; eight grandchildren, Keeley Pruner of Mansfield, Kory (Mellissa) Pruner of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, Ashley Norris of Ashland, Kerri (Ernie) McCormick of Mifflin, Shelby (Bryan) Rogers of Ashland; Kyle Reynolds of Mansfield, Paige Reynolds of Ashland, and Katelyn Reynolds of Ashland; and 12 great grandchildren, Sylvia, Jocelyn, and Ross Pruner, Isabella and Talia McCormick, Colton Watson, Damion Cole, Zander Pruner, Bristol and Bentley Rogers, Spenser Burson, and Landen Rogers.
In addition to his parents, Forrest is preceded in death by one grandson, Zachary Pruner; his son-in-law, Barry Galloway; one brother, Harold Pruner; and one sister, Diane Tucker.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in Faith Church, 1574 State Route 96, Ashland, Ohio 44805 with Reverend Brian Amstutz presiding. Interment will follow in the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call three hours prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the church. Full military honors will be conducted at the church by the Ashland Veteran's Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Crestview Athletic Boosters, 1575 State Route 96, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home's website at denbowfh.com
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.