John Forsythe

1946 - 2025

Northfield - John G. Forsythe of Northfield, passed away on July 5, 2025 in his home. A Celebratory Word Service will take place at 10 am on Friday. August 1st at the church of St Dominic in Northfield. Visitation will be help for one hour prior from 9-10 am. A gathering of family and friends will be at the Northfield Country Club following the service. John will be buried at St. Patrick's Cemetery, LeRoy, Minnesota on Sunday August 3rd at 11:00 am surrounded by his family. John Gregory Forsythe was born on April 30, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri to Edward and Lucille (Schwarz) and his only brother, Stephen Craig. After graduating from Leawood High School in 1964, John attended Kansas University and joined the Air Force Reserves which he served for 6 years. In 1970, John moved to Denver, Colorado and started dispatching for a large truck line. This was the beginning of a long successful career in the trucking industry. While in Denver, he met JoAnn Abbott and the two were married in June 1971. They later divorced but remained life long friends. They had two children, Annette (Dan) Kiefer and Daniel Forsythe. He was a patient, loving and supportive father, attending dance recitals and balls games and always interested in their life adventures. John and family, moved to Northfield, MN in 1996. He loved Northfield and it became the community that he spent the most years of his life. He was involved in many community projects and organizations including Jesse James Days, SERTOMA, Laura Baker School, Toys for Tots and the Northfield Country club and Golf Course. In 2000, John was awarded the Safety Professional of the Year during the Minnesota Trucking Association Annual Convention. He retired from Great West Casualty om 2009 and Truck Writers in 2012. He was an accomplished golfer. He made a hole-in-one at least 4 times that we found record of, though he may have claimed several. Over the years, Northfield Country Club and its members became John's additional family. He had many great memories of times there with his many friends playing golf, having supper and drinks, with many laughs and "BS"! He was lovingly known as Papa John to his grandkids, Abby (Simon), Nathan, Sarah, Caden, Emmy, Layne, Letty and great grandson Sutton. John was loved and respected by many. John was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Lucille and his brother, Stephen. He was survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchild. Arrangements are with Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com