Forrest David Cosner

Forrest D. Cosner

     Forrest David Cosner, 79, of Aylett, VA, formerly of Keyser, WV was called home Sunday, July 6th with his family by his side. The Lord wanted him back; we are broken-hearted at our earthly loss but also praising our Savior that we know exactly where he is. His beloved wife Dottie couldn't have said it better, "Man of God, it's time to go home." Before he breathed his last, he waited for his bride to say goodbye. She told him, “You have been a wonderful and Godly husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Run to Jesus! He has His arms out for you honey, run on home.” He was so good to her; he loved his bride and all his family deeply!

     Born on August 24th, 1945 in Keyser, WV, Forrest was the son of the late Forrest A. Cosner and Kathleen (Nichol) Cosner.  He was preceded in death by his sisters Nancy Lou Corbin, Sadie Kay Lymburner, and Kathleen Louise Sanders.  

     Forrest was a 1963 graduate of Keyser High School then graduated from Wheeling Barber College in 1964. He began as a barber/hairstylist with Speedy High in Piedmont, WV before becoming proprietor of Forrest’s Hairstyling for 47 years. Forrest selflessly served as a member of the West Virginia National Guard.  He also was a member of the Keyser Jaycees.  In his younger days, Forrest enjoyed sports, especially competitive baseball and wrestling, but he was mostly known as an avid hunter and outdoorsman and continued until his last breath.  He also had a passion and tremendous gift for restoring antique furniture.

     Serving the Lord and others was the work Forrest took the most pride in. Always wanting people to find life through a relationship with Christ, he devoted years working with men through prison and juvenile detention ministry.  Decades were also spent in youth ministry; he dedicated time leading youth groups through church and out of his home. In the 1980’s, he opened the Fire Escape Youth Center for teens in downtown Keyser. Forrest was also a founder of Believer’s Fellowship in Keyser, where he served as Elder and Worship Leader.  In later years, he participated in mission trips to the Blue Mountains of Jamaica with Servant Heart Ministries and assisted with the CornerStone Food Bank in Aylett, Virginia.  

     This Man of God’s inheritance will be continued by his beloved wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Dottie Sarfino) Cosner, daughters Pam Donlin (Jay), Tisha Coffin (Tom), grandchildren James Donlin, Rachel Hutson (Jonathan), Parker Donlin, Micah Coffin, great-grandson Jonathan Hutson, Jr., sister Becky Bacorn (Wayne), spiritual son Jason Whitlock (Tracey) and family, as well as an abundance of loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.    

     Forrest’s legacy is not one of himself, but of Christ. He taught all of us the Word, he encouraged us to be prayer warriors, and he never turned down the opportunity to ask us, "What's The Lord been showin’ ya?" We will miss him so greatly, but we carry him with us. Our family and so many others were mentored, are blessed, and love the Lord because of him. 

     Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Forrest D. Cosner to the YWAM West Virginia, P.O. Box 1188, Keyser, WV 26726 or Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge, c/o Finance Department, P.O. Box 98, Rehrersburg, PA 19550 (Please make checks payable to PA Adult & Teen Challenge)

     Friends will be received on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Believer’s Fellowship Church in Keyser from 10:30am – 1:00pm. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 1:00pm with Pastor Randy Crowe officiating. Interment held in Potomac Memorial Gardens.

     Arrangements entrusted to the Markwood Funeral Home in Keyser.

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