Mr Stotten, 64, was a well- known Wimmera salesman who was born and raised at Jeparit before working in Jeparit, Nhill and Horsham in machinery sales.

He started Rex Stotten Machinery Sales in 2000 and built the business on his personal motto, `By service we grow'.

His son Andrew Stotten said his father's death had come suddenly.

"He had just got back from a trip to Bali two weeks ago," he said.

"That was his first holiday in four years.

"He had left home early on Sunday morning to load up for a field days this week. He planned to take my mum, Sue, for a drive in his 300C Chrysler in the afternoon, the car which was his pride and joy. He only drove it on Sundays.

"For dad, going out for one hour meant three hours so we weren't concerned but by lunchtime I was sent out to get him.

"The forklift had its lights on so I thought he was using it but it was empty and he was lying on the ground and I thought `oh no'.

"The police were a bit concerned that it might have been a workplace accident.

"But the autopsy found it was a heart attack.

"We were relieved he didn't suffer."

Andrew Stotten said his family had received countless calls and letters since Sunday.

"Mum said to me on Monday night after we had received so many calls that his funeral would be pretty big," he said.

"He spent a lot of time at various field days and knew people all around the area.

"He was always happy to give people extra service. If they bought something from him, he would go out to their farm and install it.

"We have lots of flowers and cards, it is overwhelming but dad knew a lot of people."

Andrew Stotten said his father would be remembered as a hard worker who went the extra mile for his customers and loved and cared for his family.

"Anything his kids needed, he would get them," he said.

"He helped us all get cars and was always happy to help.

"He spent a lot of weekends travelling with mum out to clients' properties to deliver and install machinery."

Mr Stotten is survived by his wife Sue, children Kim, Andrew and Travis along with seven grandchildren.

Andrew Stotten said the family hoped to have the funeral mid to late next week but were still making arrangements.