Loretta May Fortner

Loretta May Fortner, 85, of Decatur, IL., passed away at 8:45 P.M., on Monday, August 12, 2024, at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. To 6:00 P.M., on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 407 E. Eldorado St. Decatur, IL.. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., on Monday, August 19, 2024, also at the church. Father Chris Comerford will celebrate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Assumption, IL. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or Anderson Shaffer.

Loretta was born on August 7, 1939, in Ramsey, IL., a daughter of John Melvin and Ina Gertrude Murkin Sanders. She married Ralph J. “Joe” Fortner on August 10, 1957 in Decatur, IL., and he passed away on July 14, 2017. Surviving children include; Ina (Gary) Brown, Nina McDonald, Ralph (Teresa) Fortner, Jr., Melvin (Tami) Fortner, and Cecilia Schaffer. Surviving grandchildren are; Andrew (Megan) Brown, Bryce (Kimberly) Fortner, Hillary (Matt) Waegelein), Joey Fortner, Tyler (Sarah) Fortner, Jordan (Kathleen) Fortner, Neil (Brittni) McDonald, Lauren McDonald and Anderson Shaffer, as well as 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 3 brothers; Junior, Roy and Rodell Sanders, 3 sisters; Pauline Linn, Betty Fulk and Irma Gaither, as well as 2 sons-in-law's; Dave McDonald and Glenn Shaffer, granddaughter; Caelan McDonald and granddaughter-in-law; Ilene Fortner.

Loretta worked at General Electric and Borg-Warner for many years. She attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She enjoyed playing cards, babysitting her grandchildren and running them to all their activities. Loretta loved going to coffee with her sister's and all who knew and loved her knew how much the Christmas season meant to her. All of the kids thought Lou had the best toys”. Mom loved to watch the kids playing with her toys and when any child came to her house, they would head straight for the toys. Lou wouldn't let you go hungry – she was always asking if you wanted something to eat.

Aaron and Susie Hinds of Hinds Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Bement, IL., have the honor to serve the family of Loretta May Fortner, “Our Family is Here to Serve Your Family”. Please visit our website at www.hindsfuneralhome.com to offer condolences.