V.I. Fortner, 88, of Greenville went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sept. 7, 2009, at his residence. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Mineral Heights Baptist Church, 3201 Robin Road in Greenville, with Rev. Mike Harrigan officiating. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.

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

He is remembered as a Veteran of World War II, 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; a sister-in-law, Cleone Fortner; brother-in-law Archie Doydt and 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.

Voyd Ishmel Fortner