Forrest Harry Rosenquist

COLUMBUS - Forrest Harry Rosenquist, 101, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. He was born on October 29, 1923, the son of Caroline Berquist Rosenquist and Charles John Rosenquist. He grew up in Youngstown, OH, and resided at Senior Living of Danbury in Columbus, OH.

He graduated from South High School in 1941, Youngstown, OH. In 1943, Forrest enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 19 to serve our country in WWII. As part of the 253rd Engineers Combat Battalion of the U.S. Army, he landed in France just after Christmas in 1944, in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge. On March 26, 1945, under heavy German fire, he and his unit built a pontoon bridge across the Rhine River, a major effort that facilitated the rapid movement of Allied forces into the German heartland, bringing the war closer to its end. He remained in Germany until the end of the war and was discharged from the Army in 1946.

When he returned home from the war, he used the GI Bill to earn a business degree from Youngstown College. Forrest then worked for Commercial Shearing in Youngstown, OH.

In 1954, Forrest married his beloved June Elaine Metcalf and built a home in Boardman, OH. Into their union, they had three daughters, Cynthia Louise, Robyn Lee, and Taryn Lynn. Forrest was an active life-long member of First Covenant Church. As his father Charles did before him, he taught Sunday School and served in a variety of ways to encourage spiritual growth.

Forrest found great joy in managing a productive garden and cultivating this passion in his wife and daughters. Fall harvest brought many opportunities to can, pickle, and freeze fruits and vegetables. He also was known for making Swedish rye bread, which he shared and served with family and friends late into his 90s.

In recent years, Forrest and June relocated to Dublin, Ohio where one of their daughters lives. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Charles (Jack) Rosenquist, Eloise Rosenquist, Jean Heitzelman, Joan Gluck, and his wife, June Elaine Rosenquist.

Forrest is survived by his three daughters and their families: Cindy Scheetz (Rick) of Dublin, OH, Robyn Elia (Kevin) of Stow, OH, and Taryn Vetter (Chuck) of Mcpherson, KS. He is also survived by His 12 grandchildren, Erika Kanetsky (Matt), Brita Habel (Jon), Heidi Arledge (Collin), Derek Scheetz (Shannon), Richard Scheetz (Caris), all from Columbus. Allie Elia of Warren, RI, Caroline Elia (Lucas), of Trussville, AL, Benjamin Elia (Bonnie), of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Charles Vetter (Yazmin), currently of Juba, South Sudan, Samuel Vetter (Kelly), of Chicago, IL, Johanna Vetter Biasotti (Brennan), of Chicago, IL and Nelson Vetter of McPherson, KS. He had 18 great-grandchildren; Caroline, Blaise, Claire, Brooks, Bo, Colette Kanetsky, Dominic and Mason Smarrella, Charlotte and Forrest Scheetz, Cade and Carly Scheetz, Emily and Carter Arledge, Jack, Max and Griffin Vetter, Arturo Biasotti, and a host of nieces and nephews and friends.

A celebration of life for Forrest Harry Rosenquist will be held on July 25, 2025 at Faith Covenant Church, 3607 Dempsey Rd, Westerville, OH

faithcov.net

Memorials in honor of Forrest Rosenquist may be given to:

Camp Mission Meadows

5201 East Lake Road

Dewittville, NY 14728

mssionmeadows.org

The family would love to greet friends at 3:30 prior to the 4 pm. service. We invite you to join us for a light supper and fellowship following the service.