Paul E. Forby, 83, of Benton, IL, died at 2:54 a.m. Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at the Severin Intermediate Care Home, Benton, IL. Mr. Forby was born December 23, 1924 in Makanda, IL, the son of Homer Forby and Ethel (Maze) Forby. He was raised by his step-father Herbert Draper. He married the former Betty June Elkins on August 27, 1943 and she survives. He worked as a superintendent for E.T. Simonds for eighteen years and then worked as a coal miner at Freeman Mine #6 in Waltonville, IL, for nineteen years and retired at age 62. He was a member of the U.M.W.A., the Benton Masonic Lodge, Shrine Temple and the Steel City Baptist Church. He enjoyed golfing, and camping with his wife Betty in Texas and Florida. Surviving relatives include his wife, Betty June Forby, Benton, IL, three sons, Gary Forby and wife Angie, Benton, IL, Mike Forby and wife Glenda, Benton, IL, Eric Forby and wife Amy, Fairview Heights, IL, eight grandchildren, Lisa Black and husband Mike, Benton, IL, Justin Forby, Benton, IL, Jeremy and Mackenzie Fleetwood, both of Benton, IL, Dustin Forby, Benton, IL, Melissa Cole and husband Kevin, Christopher, IL, Jake and Zack Forby, both of Belleville, IL, three great-grandchildren, Hanna Forby, Benton, IL, Trey and Chase Cole, both of Christopher, IL, one brother Homer Forby and wife Niecey, Cobden, IL, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Forby was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, Herbert Draper, and one granddaughter, Melissa Forby. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 3, 2008 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Pastor David Wiggins officiating. Burial will be in the Cobden Cemetery, Cobden, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer"s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register visit www.hobbsjohnsonfuneralhome.com.