Ronald L. Forsberg
July 30th, 1946 – January 14th, 2026
Ronald Lorren Forsberg was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Donald “Lorren” Forsberg and Esther Violet (Frye) Forsberg on July 30, 1946. In 1955 at the age of nine, Ron and his family moved to Florida. They became members of the First Church of God of Tampa where he met and later married his wife, Viriginia (McMillan) Forsberg, known to all as Gigi. He graduated from Chamberlain High School in Tampa in 1964 and from Anderson College in Indiana in 1968.
Ron married Gigi on June 25, 1966. They began married life in Anderson, Indiana while Ron finished college. Ron and Gigi moved back home to Florida where they lived in Tampa, Lakeland, Auburndale, and later settled in Winter Haven. They were blessed with three daughters, April Lee, Kristi Lynn, and Roni Lauren. Later they were also blessed with six grandchildren, Kara, Jared, Hunter, JT, Isaac, and Julia. Ron loved his family with all his heart and leaves behind a legacy of faithfulness as a husband, father, and Papa.
Ron was employed by State Farm Insurance in Winter Haven and retired after 37 years of faithful service. Ron was a lover of music, singing in choirs and quartets his entire life, even leading music at the First Church of God in Winter Haven for over 15 years. Ron was a long-time member of Faith Baptist Church and served as deacon in the church for 24 years. He took the role seriously loving people and caring for others in the church.
Ron loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and archery. He was known for being a fisherman and took many friends (young and old) out on his boat to catch the biggest fish. His greatest joy was watching any concert, play, or sporting event that his grandchildren performed in.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lorren Forsberg and mother, Esther Forsberg. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 ½ years, Gigi Forsberg; his sister, Brenda (Steve) Birch and daughters, April Kilgore, Kristi (Timothy) Stacy, and Roni (Craig) Goodwin; and his six grandchildren, Kara (Christian) Bedwell, Jared (Kinsey) Kilgore, Hunter (Jordyn) Goodwin, JT (Zenna) Stacy, Isaac Goodwin, and Julia Kilgore. He is also survived by two aunts and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ron went home to be with the Lord on January 14, 2026, at the age of 79. His Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, January 24th beginning with a time of visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Services will be held at Faith Baptist Church located at 2140 Crystal Beach Road, Winter Haven, FL 33880.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Ron.
