Obituary Detail


Gary R. Ford - 58
12/12/1951 - 1/22/2010

Sandwich, Illinois - Gary R. Ford, 58, of Sandwich, IL passed away, Friday, January 22, 2010 at Valley West Community Hospital in Sandwich, IL after a very long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born December 12, 1951 in Sandwich, IL, the son of Robert and Elaine (Reynolds) Ford. He married Melia Sprowles on June 15, 1973 in Somonauk, IL and they spent the next 36 wonderful years together.

He was a very loving husband and a wonderful father and grandfather. He enjoyed auto racing, spending time with his family and studying his Bible. He served as President of the Sandwich T-Ball Association and Sandwich Park District and enjoyed coaching T-Ball and softball for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Melia of Sandwich; his father, Robert Ford of Somonauk; four children, Gary Ford, Jr. of Sheridan, IL, Michael (Drita Ismaili) Ford of Sugar Grove, Cassandra Ford of Plano and Kelsey Ford of Sandwich; four grandchildren, Austin, Everett, Connor and Griffin Ford; two sisters, Pat Carr of Sandwich and Joan (Russ) Ellis of Sandwich and several nieces, nephews, cousins and special extended family, Trinity Green, Jon Green, Melanie (Jason) Conley and their children, Logan and Riley Conley, Niki (Jeff) Higdon and their son, Jacob Higdon, Alexis, Zack, Melitsa and Danielle Kalaitzakis.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother and his grandparents.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home in Sandwich with Rev. David Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Northville Cemetery in Somonauk. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to Somonauk Christian School. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com.

Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home
606 E. Arnold Road
Sandwich, IL 60548
815-786-2165

Visitation:
10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home
Sandwich, Illinois

Service:
1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home
Sandwich, Illinois

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Visitor Comments
It is always so hard to understand when such special people are taken, when it is a time when special people are needed in this country.
Dolores Absher
1/23/2010 5:22 PM
 
Continuing to pray for your family. I hold many wonderful family memories.
Jan Shaw
1/23/2010 8:51 PM
 
I am so sorry to hear this. You know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandy & Stan Lantz
1/24/2010 5:02 AM
 
I am so sorry for your loss.Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Karla Barr
1/24/2010 8:34 AM
 
I am so terribly sorry to hear of Gary's passing. May God strengthen and comfort you in this time of sorrow.
Patti Kruger
1/24/2010 12:15 PM
 
There's so much that should be said at this time, but no words seem adequate. You are being thought about & cared about, may you find hope, special comfort and know that your husband and father will remain in your heart forever.
Terry Abrams
1/24/2010 12:24 PM
 
Our sincere sympathy to Gary's family. He was a great guy with "all" the best" for the kids in Sandwich. He will be missed and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Gary, Rest in pease and know that you made a huge contribution to the "kids" in Sandwich "who now may have kids of their own" and Sandwich itself. Gold Canyon, AZ
Gordie and Kathy n
1/24/2010 1:30 PM
 
I will miss seeing you sitting on the front porch when I drive by. You fought a long and hard battle and your body became very tired and now you are another angel watching over us. I'm so glad that the pain is gone now and I will see you at another time. Love you, cousin Karen
Karen Lemke
1/24/2010 1:43 PM
 
We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. I guess it is not for us to understand or know the reasons why. You have a wonderful network of family & friends surrounding you at this time. May you find comfort from those who love & care for you & strength in the knowledge your beloved husband, father & grandfather is at peace.
Debbie & Bobby Loveless
1/24/2010 3:57 PM
 
We are so sorry for the loss of such a great person. Our hearts go out to his wife, children, grandchildren, father, and sisters. He was a very generous person with a love and caring for anyone he came into contact with. He will be missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Love you, your cousin Larry and wife Jan.
Larry & Jan Olson
1/24/2010 4:13 PM
 
Bob: I'm very sorry to learn of Gary's death. I didn't know him personally but I heard nothing but good things about him. My sorry that I never had the opportunity to meet him. I know that he was a great cousin. Paul and Shirley Wallis
Paul Wallis
1/24/2010 7:50 PM
 
Melia, Bob, Joan & Pat, Dan and I are so sorry to hear about Gary, and feel for you all in your time of grief. However we are thrilled that he is now feeling the eternal lightness of being set free. Free of pain, free of worry and free of living in a physical body that no longer served him. I imagine him as a star shooting across the sky - always shining brightly. He will be missed, but it is soothing to know that he is indeed in a much, much better place. With love & light, his cousin Cindy
Cindy (& Dan) Benua
1/25/2010 1:35 AM
 
Bob: We are so sorry to hear of your most recent loss. May God be with you through these difficult times. You and your family are in our prayers.
Kai and Pat Wallis
1/25/2010 11:56 AM
 
I am so sorry to read of Gary's passing. I knew Gary when he was in "knee pants" back at Somonauk Baptist Church in the 1950's. It is always sad to see one of our "family" leave this earth but comforting to know that he is with the Lord. I really loved Elaine and talked with her often at Sandwich Office Supply during the 1990's. I am sad to see she has also left for the presence of the Lord. My daughter attended school with Cassy and Gary, Jr. during the 90's. Please accept my deepest sympathy and know that I am praying for your family as you learn to walk without your dad near by. I have such precious memories of SBC and the families from that church. I am touched by your loss.
Ila Johnston Holloway
1/25/2010 12:44 PM
 
Our deepest sympathies to all members of the Ford Family. I had the pleasure of working with Gary in Montgomery & Elwood. I sure do miss our worldly discussions. Gary always talked about his family and how much you all meant to him. Rest In Peace Gary and may the Lord be with you!
John Fraser & The Gang at DSC Elwood
1/25/2010 1:53 PM
 
To the Ford Family, My heartfelt sympathies go out to you at this sad time. I worked with Gary in Montgomery and in Elwood. I can remember when I found out that my Father had cancer. Gary always asked how my family was holding up and always was there if ever I just needed a hug. What a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed by all those he touched. God Bless, Patti Bennett
Patti Bennett
1/25/2010 2:07 PM
 
Bob, We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our hearts and prayers and love go out to the whole Ford family at this time of sorrow. We are sorry that we are unable to attend the services because of our move to Kentucky and our health. We will be there in our hearts though.
Doug & Evelyn (Joyce) Martner
1/25/2010 9:38 PM
 
To Melia and Family: Our sympathies go out to you at this difficult time. Gary will be remembered by many in the community for giving so much of his time to the kids of Sandwich through T-ball, Girls Softball, his years with the Park District, and in many other ways. He was a great guy and will be missed by all. He is at peace now, so our thoughts and prayers are with you. Roberta Troeger, Steve Wolf and the Rest of the Sandwich Park District Board and Staff
The Sandwich Park District
1/26/2010 7:27 AM
 
Our sypathy goes out to Gary's Family. We worked with him for at Allsteel. Even though it was many years ago, it still feels like we have lost a family member. May he rest in peace.
Todd & Mary McGowan
1/26/2010 5:32 PM
 
Melia and family: I am soo sorry to hear about Gary's passing. He "is" a fantastic guy. I know you have known me for a long time, but when I think of Gary I remember him and dad working together at Allsteel, as friends and our neighbor down the street. Now that they are both whole again, they will be watching over us as we go on our earthly missions. Rest in Peace Gary. Darcy and Mark Phillips JD Barto
Darcy Phillips
1/28/2010 1:39 PM
 

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