09/03/2026
The City of Forsyth Police Department mourns the loss of a former Officer, Peter Adrian Andela.
In honor of Mr. Andela, our Officers will shroud badges until midnight on 09/04/2026.
Mr. Andela's obituary as follows:
Peter Adrian Andela, age 93, of Forsyth Missouri passed away on August 31, 2026 at Forsyth Nursing Home surrounded by family. Pete was born to John and Adriana (Haverhals) Andela on May 14, 1933 in Hull Iowa. On May 29, 1958 he married the love of his life in Grandview MO, Della Lois (Boyd) Andela and they had 66 beautiful years together. They were blessed with 5 children.
He grew up in Hull Iowa and after 8th grade, he went to work to help support the family as many did in that day. When he was 20, he began his service to his country with the US Army achieving the rank of corporal. Pete served from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War. He was in the Army's 44th field artillery batallion. He worked on guns and was also a mail clerk. He and 3 buddies from Hull had signed up with the promise they could stay together. They wound up in different countries…one in Japan, one in Hawaii, one in the states and Pete in Germany. Pete was a proud veteran.
After his time in the Army he joined JB Thomas Carnival and worked for a year and then moved to Grandview MO and worked in a bakery. This is where he met Lois, his future bride. He started his law enforcement career in Grandview MO in 1959. He continued in law enforcement working for the city of Forsyth, Taney County Sheriffs Office (where he was known as Kojak, because they shared the same hair style, and he loved that nickname) and then the State as a corrections officer at Ozark Correctional Center in Fordland MO. He retired from the State in 1997. Not being one to sit around and do nothing, he worked at Walmart in the hardware department after retirement. He also loved to work outside mowing his yard, piddling in his shed or pulling weeds. He always had a pristine yard and was proud of that!
Pete is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, parents and his siblings, Therissa Te Slaa, Andy Andela and Carl Andela along with many nieces and nephews. Pete is survived by his 5 children Jennifer (Alan) Forrest of Forsyth, Jackie Spradling of Forsyth, Jeff (Jenny) Andela of Branson, Jimmy (Tammie) Andela of Ozark and Jeri (Kevin) King of Kirbyville. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren; Travis (Terra) Croft, Shannon Cronin, Jessica (Mike) Woody, Austin (Addy) Forrest, Courtney (Jeff) Edwards, Josh Reavis, Chadwick Spradling (Phoenix Bingham), Alli Forrest (John Kemper), Josie (Andy) Cull, Jared Andela, Nikki (Robert) Pare, Jeffery Andela, Blake Andela, Jordyn Andela, Alexis Andela and Casey King. Also surviving are 18 great-grandchildren; Shayna (Christopher) Graham, Brett Cronin (Ashley), Kelcy Harper, Maddi Woody, Gavin Harmon, Tala Alsbury, Bradyn Harper, Justice Croft, Izzy Contreras, Kennedy Croft, Griffin Woody, Jak Kemper, Addy Cull, Kayne Reavis, Layne Pare, Aiden Cull, Delta Forrest and Elijah Pare. Also surviving are his great-great-grandchildren: Liam Cronin, Rylee Harmon and Isabella Cronin who will be making her appearance any day.
Visitation for Pete will be held on Friday, September 4th 2026 from 10:00 am to noon with the service to follow at First Baptist Church in Forsyth. Burial will be Wednesday, September 9th at 9 am at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield MO with full military honors.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson.
