Ronald Eugene Fornowski Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Born in to this world on April 23rd 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Eugene and Elsie (Kroeber) Fornowski. Loving Husband to Charlotte (Peretto) Fornowski. Caring Father to Cheryl (Brian) Bloom, Susan (Scott) Benda, and Patricia (Bill) Robinson. Adoring Grandfather to Allison (Benda) Snyder, Lauren (Benda) Hoffman, and Elyssa Fornowski. He is known to his family and friends as Ron. Ron grew up in Chicago enjoying ice skating and roller skating at the “Swank” and spending his summers at Glen Lake with his aunt and uncle. Ron’s passion was working with cars. He and his friends would show off their “souped up” vehicles to each other, car shows, and street races. In Ron’s down time he was infatuated with the history channel, in particular WWII and the Hitler regime. Ron attended Marquette University for 2 years, at which time he decided to leave college and follow in his Father’s footsteps to become a journeyman plumber. In 1956 Ron met his wife to be, Charlotte, who he married in 1958. They spent their honeymoon in Up North Michigan, Glen Lake; not knowing that the area would eventually become their home. While raising their 3 young daughters, every summer there was time spent up at the lake. When Ron inherited the family cottage on Glen Lake, he and his wife made plans to build a year-round home where they would retire. After many hard-working years Ron took over the family business as the owner of Complete Plumbing until his retirement in 2001. As their daughters were married and had children of their own, they continued the tradition of coming to Glen Lake. Lauren and Elyssa made their first visit to Glen Lake at 2 and 5 weeks respectively and have been spending summers and winters up at the lake ever since. Allison, Lauren, and Elyssa were happiest when their grandfather took them out on the water. The whole day was spent tubing, skiing, anchoring the boat to swim, and teaching his granddaughters how to drive the boat. Ron battled with a progressive chronic illness for the last 15 years of his life, but was smiling. Throughout those 15 years Ron stayed motivated to be the best husband, father, and grandfather he could be. His battle was over when he was called home on September, 11th. His family and friends will miss him dearly. Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11AM, Friday, Sept. 18 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church of Empire. Visitation begins at 10AM. Following Mass Ron will be laid to rest in St. Philip’s Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation, https://parkinsonhope.org/, or to the Glen Lake Association, https://www.glenlakeassociation.org/donate-now/. Ron and his family are in the care of Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. You may visit his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

Ronald Eugene Fornowski

April 23, 1936 - September 11, 2020