Robert Frank Ford

, 83 of rural Carman, Illinois, died at 6:39 p.m. Sunday June 22, 2014 at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa. He was born November 9, 1930, near Stronghurst, the son of Earl and Dorothy Stevenson Ford Sr. On June 27, 1952, he married Evelyn R. Dolly Howell in Stronghurst. She preceded him in death on June 22, 2013.

Robert was a graduate of Stronghurst High School and Monmouth College. He served stateside in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He used his degree from Monmouth College to help run the family farming business throughout his lifetime. He was involved in the community by serving on the local school, drainage commission, and federal land bank boards. He participated in Henderson County Relay For Life as a team captain for many years. He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council and was a Luther Ann.

He was a lifelong sports enthusiast. He excelled in high school and college sports, and enjoyed running later in life, completing a marathon in his late sixties. He also filmed games for the high school football and volleyball teams. Most of all, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include three daughters, Kathy Vitali of Punta Gorda, FL, Kris (Quentin) Peterson of Stronghurst, Kelly Ford of Mahomet, IL, one son Rick Ford of rural Carman, six grandchildren, Rob (Jody) Vitali, Kristina (Dave) Sellards, Samantha Bundy, Amanda (Jacob) Bielser, Boone Peterson, Tucker Peterson, three great grandchildren, Olivia Vitali and Dorothy and Mallory Bielser, one sister, Nancy (Wilbur) Pfeiff of West Burlington, IA, and three brothers, Earl Buster Ford, Jr of rural Carman, IL, Paul (Nora) Ford of Bellevue, WA, and Marvin (Sandy) Ford of McHenry, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, one brother, Rodney Ford, one sister, Mary Ann Wilson, and one son in law, Lou Vitali.

The funeral service for Robert Ford will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday June 28, 2014 in the Stronghurst Bethel Lutheran Church with Rev. Terry Muller officiating. Burial will be in the Carman Cemetery. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Friday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Memorials have been established for Stronghurst Bethel Lutheran Church and Relay For Life.