Forrest Wayne Barnill

Forrest Wayne Barnill

Iowa City

On July 4, 1986, a healthy baby boy was born to Susan and Larry Barnhill, and they named him Forrest Wayne Barnill. Forrest would be the only child born from this marriage. On October 30, 2024, Susan and Larry would be the first to find their son, Forrest had passed unexpectedly from this life at his home alone in Waterloo, IA.

Forrest was a happy child and wore a smile most all the time. He loved riding his motorcycles, both his Sportster and his Buell. Over the years he owned several Sportsters and two Buells. He loved playing bass and for a while played with a group for enjoyment. He only played for his own pleasure in recent years.

Forrest received his education through the Iowa City Community School District and graduated from West High School in the Class of 2004. While in high school, Forrest developed interests in motorcycles and playing the electric bass guitar. He especially enjoyed the music of the 60s and 70s. At the age of 16, he got his first motorcycle, a 1990 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200. In 2004, Forrest attended the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) in Phoenix, AZ. While in Phoenix, he worked part-time for a mechanical contractor installing commercial air conditioning systems while studying motorcycle mechanics and repair. In December 2005, Forrest graduated from MMI with a Certified Technician Specialist Degree and returned to Iowa.

Forrest was employed by several motorcycle shops in Iowa City, and most recently by Silver Eagle Harley Davison in Waterloo. He also would help customers with ordering parts at the parts counter which he enjoyed meeting fellow riders and other enthusiasts.

Forrest will be missed greatly by friends and family. He enjoyed life and managed to survive and overcome a fall from a roof in 2013 while helping a friend, which left him with physical and health difficulties, but he went on to lead a productive life.

Forrest is survived by his parents and a brother, Chad Banken, of North Liberty, IA, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leola and Arthur Swenka, and N. Jean and Fred Barnhill.

Burial will be a private ceremony at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Liberty. A celebration of life will be held at a later time.

Online condolences may be left for the family at lensingfuneral.com.