Jesse Fontonia Marquet Fortner, known to his family and friends
as "Boo". He was born July 16, 1973 in East St. Louis, IL to the
union of Jesse and Essie Fortner. He was the youngest of four
children. Jesse confessed his faith in Christ at an early age. He was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost under the leadership of the late Suffragan Bishop John H. Pettiford, Jr. Jesse received his formal education in East St. Louis School District. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school in 1991 as a Medical Specialist. After leaving the military, he later attended Beck Area Career Center in Red Bud, IL. He graduated in 1995 receiving his certification as a License Practical Nurse. He worked as a devoted nurse in the states of Illinois and Indiana for over 22 years.
Jesse married Rebecca Adams on, March 31, 1995. Together they
had three children, Brandon, Ciera and Jessica.
Jesse later married Beatrice Wilson on, March 13, 2015. Together
they had five children, Ernisha, Jasmine, Ernest, Tavine and
Zemonda.
Jesse was a fun loving man. Even though he was a very strict
parent, he always knew how to make his children laugh and to
enjoy their childhood. He taught his children many life skills and
lessons. He never left them without the tools to get by in life. Jesseloved traveling and he always had the best conspiracy theories. He was a movie fanatic. You could not name a movie he did not watch or was "going" to watch. His love for food matched his enjoyment of movies. One of his famous quotes was "Don't knock it, till you try it." He tried any kind of food you would give him. He was notorious for saying "Don't be a hero", but he was his children's hero.
Jesse departed this life on January 30, 2018. He leaves to cherish
his wife, Beatrice Wilson of (Indiana, IN), his children; Brandon
Willis of (Shiloh, IL), Ciera Hoskins of (Kansas City, MO),
Jessica (Robert) Fortner of (Baldosta, GA), Kaylin Turner of
(Saint Louis, MO), Ernisha MCCarter, Jasmine Wilson, Ernest
Wilson, Tavine Wilson and Zemonda Wilson of (Brownsburg, IN).
His parents; Jesse and Essie Fortner of (Belleville, IL) mother
-in-law; Rosalyn Wilson, siblings; Andrea (Andre) Pettiford of
(Cahokia, IL), Tyrone Nicholson of (Alorton, IL), Katrina Fortner
of (Belleville, IL) and Tonia Nelson who preceded him in death.