EKBERG, Ronald George died on Friday October 1, 2010 at home. He was born on November 10, 1932 in Pitsburg, OH to the late George & Josephine (Flatter) Ekberg. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, 2 daughters, 1 grandson, 1 great grandson, twin brother, 7 step grandchildren & 15 step great grandchildre, 4 Nephews, and several cousins. Ron donated his body to Wright State School of Medicine. At his request, there will not be a formal Service. His family will join with his loved and loving Church Family at the 11:00am Sunday morning service of worship on October 3, 2010 at Cross Creek Community Church, United Church of Christ, The Rev. Dr. Michael Castle, Minister, where Ron was one of the early founding members. The church is located at 667 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. The family will receive visitors at home from 4-6 pm on October 3, 2010. Ron attended Jane Addams Elementary, Roosevelt High School (1950) and graduated from Defiance College (BA, 1953) and Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (BD, 1959-updated to MDiv at Vanderbilt University School of Divinity 1973). He is an ordained United Church of Christ minister for 51 years having served Ridgewood Heights United Church of Christ, Dayton, OH; Alcony United Church of Christ and Lost Creek United Church of Christ, Troy, OH , Sugarcreek United Church of Christ, Bellbrook, OH and various other churches in Ohio, Florida, and the Washington DC area. Ron retired as the Director of Social Services at Lebanon Correctional Institution after 19 years of State Civil Service. Ron volunteered for The American Red Cross Disaster Recovery (Family Service). He traveled from the Dayton Chapter of the American Red Cross to aid victims of natural disasters. Ron was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement, the Peace Movement, and the Pro Choice movement. Ron was a member of the American Political Items Collectors. He was an active member of the Carter Political Items Collectors which meets annually in Plains, GA. He was instrumental in a project to provide part of a pictorial display of Jimmy Carter's Presidential campaign, in the train depot at Plains, GA which is operated by the National Parks Service. He acquired numerous collections including Jimmy Carter memorabilia, Campaign and other pin-back buttons, Nativity Scenes, Presidential Items, Irving Berlin Sheet Music, and Autographed Books. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cross Creek Community United Church of Christ or Defiance College, Defiance, OH.
Published by Dayton Daily News from Oct. 2 to Oct. 3, 2010.