STERLING GAZETTE
July 15, 1938
6;4

BELIEVE DEATH IS DUE TO SUNSTROKE
Forrest Near, 27, Succumbs At Public Hospital

Forrest Near, 27, of 703 Tenth Avenue, Rock Falls, passed away at the Sterling public hospital this morning. Death is believed to have been caused by a sun stroke, which he suffered Tuesday. He was admitted to the hospital Thursday night. The body was removed to the Woods Funeral Home where Coroner C.M. Frye will conduct the inquest this afternoon at 4:30. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

Besides his wife, he leaves three small children, Caroline and Paul and two weeks' old son. He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Near of Deer Grove, and the following brothers and sisters: George Near and Mrs. Lawrence Renner of Rock Falls, Russell Near of Deer Grove, Mrs. Erwin Bond of Tampico, Vernon Near of Franklin Grove, Mrs. Dale Exner of Walnut and Harry Near of Sterling.

STERLING GAZETTE
Saturday, July 16, 1938
5:2

VERDICT OF DEATH BY SUNSTROKE IS RETURNED BY JURY

The funeral of Forrest E. Near of Rock Falls, who passed away early Friday morning at the Sterling public hospital where he had been takien

the  night bedore for treatment, well be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Woods Funeral Home. Rev. James R. Uhlinger, pastor of the Rock Falls Methodist Church will  officiate. Burial will be in Mrmorialcemetery at Tampico.

Coroner C. M. Frey conducted the inquest Friday at 4:30 p.m. at th Woods funeral home. Testimony of Dr. R. C. Clinkscales, Robert Herbon and Mrs. Near was heard. The evidente disclosed that death was due to a sunstroke, which he received last Tuesday while shocking oats on the Jerry Keefe farm near Deer Grove. A verdict of death from sunstroke was returned by the coroner's jury.(submitted by Denise McLoughlin)

Submitted by Melva Taylor

The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois

July 19, 1938 - Tuesday, pg 6 

FORREST  EARL  NEAR

Forrest E. Near Buried Sunday - Former Schoolmates At Deer Grove Bear Casket

Forrest Earl Near was laid to rest Sunday afternoon in the Tampico Memorial Cemetery, following funeral rites at 2 o'clock in the Woods Funeral Home.  The funeral message of comfort and hope to the sorrowing members of the family was brought by Rev. James R. Uhlinger, Rock Falls Methodist Church pastor. 

Former school friends of the deceased at Deer Grove acted as pallbearers. They were Glenn Bechdolt, Gordon O'Neil, Gerald Keefe, Leo McCormick, Lloyd  Dixon and Marvin Broers. 

Those from out-of-town attending the rites were Elwood Mason, David Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Fisher and family, and Mr. and Mrs. James Baugh and daughter Patty, Spencer, Ind.;  Miss Jerry Kay, Freedom, Ind.;  Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Opal Hurt,  Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mason and family, Miss Mabel Mason,  Mrs. Clyde Basore and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Mason, Indianapolis, Ind.;  Mr. and Mrs. Ivory Waltz and family, Roachdale, Ind.;  Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Klagg, Mrs. Louisa Klagg and Mr.a nd Mrs. Chris Hoffman, Tonica, Ill., and Mr. and Mrs. Will Near and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Conabare, Lee Center. 

Sketch of Life

Forrest Earl Near was born July 23, 1911 at Deer Grove, Ill., and departed this life July 15, 1938, aged 26 years, 11 months and 22 days old.  He was the sixth child of Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Near.  He was married to Jeanette Smith of Rock Falls June 1, 1935, and to this union three children were born, Carolyn Joyce, Paul Leroy and Kay Frances.  Besides the widow and three children, Mr. Near is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Near, and four brothers and three sisters, George, Russell, Vernon and Harry Near, Mrs. Lawrence Renner, Mrs. Irvin Bond, and Mrs. Dale Exner, and a host of relatives and friends.