Rayla Jo Forston, 65, died at 9:40 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at her residence.
A visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 10, at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis from 12 to 2 p.m. In celebration of her life, a memorial service will be following at the funeral home with Brian Patton officiating. Per her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded, and a private family burial will take place at a later date.
Ms. Forston was born on July 10, 1960, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, to George R. and Beverly J. (Patton) Forston. She married David Suslee in 1979 in Nokomis, and they later divorced.
Ms. Forston was a member of the Witt Christian Church and lived a life full of love with her dog, Rocco. However, there was nothing more special and cherished than her granddaughters. They were her everything.
Ms. Forston is survived by her mother and best friend, Beverly Hazdra; daughter-in-law Sarah (Danny) McNeely of Taylorville; granddaughters, Fiona and Thea Suslee and Delilah McNeely; sisters Lenya (Dale) Richardson of Georgia and Deborah (Butch) Schneider of Waterloo; brothers, Mark Hazdra of Nokomis and Mike Hazdra of Taylorville; niece, Sarah Jo (Daniel) Jackson of Georgia; and nephew, Chase (Autumn) Richardson of Georgia.
In addition to her father, Ms. Forston was preceded in death by her son, Japeth Suslee; brother, Martin Forston; and stepfather, Robert Hazdra.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Witt Christian Church. Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at stiehldawsonfh.com.
