V. I.Fortner

 V. I. Fortner, 88, of Greenville, went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 7, 2009 at his residence.  Services will be at 11:00 AM Friday at Mineral Heights Baptist Church 3201 Robin Rd. in Greenville with Rev. Mike Harrigan officiating. Interment will be at 1:00 PM Friday at Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas.  Visitation will be held at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home from 6 to 8 PM Thursday. 

Mr. Fortner was born on April 26, 1921 in Monroe, Oklahoma to Tom and Leona Anderson Fortner.  On January 13, 1943, he married Pauline Gober, the love of his life,  in Dallas.  She went to be with the Lord on September 19, 2003. 

He is remembered as a Veteran of WWII, retired from the Dallas Fire Department, Deacon and Charter member of Urban Park Baptist Church in Dallas and much more.

His survivors include his children Judy Samons and Suzanne Matthews both of Mesquite, and sons Stephen Fortner and Timothy Fortner and his wife Marion all of Greenville; sisters Geraldine Miller and Wanda Phillips and husband Charles; brother T. C. Fortner and wife Doris; sister-in-law Cleone Fortner; brother-in-law Archie Doydt & June Gober;

12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, sister Clara Murphy, and brother Floyd Edward Fortner.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.