Published: July 20, 2008 12:25 am            

Ralph Eugene Ford

Oct. 11, 1930 - July 18, 2008

MUNCIE — Ralph Eugene Ford, 77, Muncie, died late Friday, July 18, 2008, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born the son of Miles Ray and Imo Kathryn (Studebaker) Ford on Oct. 11, 1930, in New Weston, Ohio, and graduated in 1949 from Jackson Township High School in Darke County, Ohio.

On April 15, 1955, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Jeanne Davidson, in the Methodist Church in Gentryville.

Ralph had been the Kokomo branch manager of Wearly Monuments for 29 years prior to retiring in 1996 and was a veteran of the U. S. Marines, having served during the Korean Conflict.

Mr. Ford was a member of Community Methodist Church of Union City, Ohio. He was an eight-year mayoral appointed member and president of the Board of Cemetery Regents in Kokomo. Ralph was also a member of Metropolitan Kiwanis of Kokomo, and was interested in youth education. While president of the Kiwanis club, he initiated a scholarship fund for high school graduates of Howard County. He was also a member of the Family YMCA, American Legion Post 6, a life member of BPOE #190, Izaak Walton League, and the Rose Society, all of Kokomo. He also was a life member of the National Rifle Association.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Jeanne, Muncie; one son, Mark D. Ford and wife Joann M., Asheville, N.C.; one daughter, Dana L. Earl and husband Mark K., Muncie; three grandsons, Jacob H. and Christopher M. Earl, both of Muncie, and Matthew M. Ford, Asheville, N.C.; a great-grandson, Draven M. B. Earl, Muncie; four sisters, Norma Stage, Hollansburg, Ohio, Oleta Bruner Karn and husband Dan, Kettering, Ohio, Margaret Muhlenkamp, Greenville, Ohio, and Janene Barone and husband Alan, Baltimore, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Orlene Whitaker.

Funeral services are 1 p.m. Tuesday at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel, Muncie, with the Rev. Rusty Clements officiating. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Garden of Memory Cemetery in Gentryville. Friends may call noon until services Tuesday at the mortuary. Memorials may be made directed to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.

        

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