Ronald Fornkahl

Ronald Robert Fornkahl, 67, of Cape Girardeau went to his heavenly home Tuesday, June 25, 2013, after a yearlong battle with kidney cancer.

He was born June 11, 1946, in Cape Girardeau, to Robert and Leona Rehkopf Fornkahl.

Ron lived most of his life on the family farm in Cape Girardeau County. He graduated from the former College High School and from Southeast Missouri State University.

He served proudly with the U.S. Army from April 23, 1969, until Nov. 11, 1970, with a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Ron was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau and its men's club. After retiring from the state of Missouri Division of Work Force Development, he cared for his parents in their final years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, working on the family farm, and learning more about his family genealogy, where he made many connections with relatives around the United States and in Germany.

He and Glenda Proffer were married Nov. 23, 1969, in Cape Girardeau.

From that union came three children, Anna Fornkahl (fiance James Phillips) of Cape Girardeau, Lora (Jason) Estes of Charleston, Mo., and Andrew (Abbi Grigaitis) Fornkahl of Jackson; six grandchildren, Conrad, Henry, Frank and Samuel Bonney, and Miley and Seth Estes; and a grandchild to be born in November.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Gary Stanley Fornkahl; a special aunt, Rose Heuer; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marvin and Grace Davenport Proffer.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery at Egypt Mills, with full military rites conducted by Missouri Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 N. Frederick, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or Saxony Lutheran High School, 2004 Saxony Drive, Jackson, MO 63755.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.