FORTNEY, Carl Edward Sr., 80, of Jones Street, Wheeling, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2001.
He was born July 12, 1921, the son of Laura Hilton Fortney Baker and Carl Fortney.
He was a Methodist by faith. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for the city of Wheeling and also retired from Tri-State Construction. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army through the Pacific Campaign during World War II.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Katherine ”Kay” Watson Fortney; two sisters, Dorothy Fortney Steinman and Elizabeth ”Betty” Fortney Ulrrey.
Surviving are four sons, Carl ”Ted” Fortney Jr. and his wife, Betty of Jacksonville, Fla., Ralph Fortney and his wife, Martha of Wheeling, Lawrence ”Larry” Fortney and his wife, Debra of Virginia Beach, Va., and Ken Fortney of Wheeling; a daughter, Carolyn Fortney Davis and her husband, Scott of Wheeling; a longtime companion, Kathleen ”Kathy” Gann; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and all who knew and loved him.
Friends will be received 2-9 p.m. Wednesday at
Altmeyer Funeral Home, South Wheeling Chapel, 3828 Jacob St., Wheeling, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Craig Blankenship officiating.
Personal condolences may be offered to the family at altmeyer.com.
“THE COMFORTING SWEATER”
It’s just an old yellow sweater, but I keep it anyway
Neatly folded, wrapped in plastic,
secretly tucked away.
Days when I am sad & can’t believe he’s gone,
I take out the old sweater & gently slip it on.
As the scent of his “Old Spice” begins to fill the air,
I close my eyes & make believe that he’s really there,
If I try hard enough I can almost hear him speak,
& even feel him wipe the tear
that’s resting on my cheek.
He tells me not to worry & try not to be so sad.
I hear myself softly whisper, “I really miss you, Dad.
You are my new Guardian Angel watching over me, Your spirit will live on through your friends & family.”
Just for awhile I let myself believe that it’s true,
We’re sitting, talking, the way we used to do.
Eventually, I take off the old sweater & put it back in it’s place.
Where it will remain until I need another “embrace.”
Written in Loving Memory for my Father.
9/2001