George Franklin Ford, Jr.

George Franklin Ford, Jr. 75, of Murphysboro, passed away peacefully at 12:10 p.m. Saturday, November 3, 2018, surrounded by his family, at his residence in Murphysboro. George was born on December 15, 1942, in Toledo, Ohio, to George Franklin Ford, Sr. and Geraldine (Nagel) Ford. George was a graduate of University of Toledo. He was an electrical engineer with Mitsubishi Motors of North America in Normal, Illinois. Mr. Ford attended Fairview Christian Church in Pomona. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed cooking and was the BBQ Man! He was an avid spectator of his kid's and grandkid's sporting events and was their biggest fan. He was always the life of the party and he had a numerous of friends of all walks of life. George married Meri Clare (Sniegowski) on March 15, 1985, in Murphysboro, and she survives. Other survivors include four children Traci (Glen) Hirschfeld, Sylvania, OH, Clare (A.J.) Cunningham and Brie (Tim) Imhoff, all of Murphysboro and George Franklin Ford, III of Carbondale; nine grandchildren Dr. Adam (Devon) Hirschfeld, Alden (Lauren) Hirschfeld, Addison (Alexa) Hirschfeld, Macie Cunningham, Levi Cunningham, Hallie Cunningham, Baby to come Cunningham, John Imhoff, and Elijah Imhoff; six great grandchildren Hayden Hirschfeld, Bastian Hirschfeld, Hunter Hirschfeld, Vivian Hirschfeld, Carson Hirschfeld, and Witten Hirschfeld; one brother James Ford of Atlanta GA., and one sister Patricia (Joseph) Howell, Waynesfield Ohio. numerous nieces and nephews including Kris (Daniel) Pruneau, James (Lauren) Ford, II, Michael Ford, Jeffrey Ford, Chuck Howell, and Nathan (Stephanie) Howell; several great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. Four brothers in law James (Cindy) Sniegowski, Kenneth Sniegowski, Stephen Sniegowski, Robert (Gloriann) Sniegowski; and three sisters in law Jane Frost, Susan (Oscar) Little, Marjorie (Stan Wagganer) Sniegowski. He was preceded in death by one brother Richard Allen Ford, his parents, aunts Willow Ford and Evelyn (Virgil) Suter, uncle Forrest (Thelma) Ford, one niece Heather Howell, two brothers-in-law Mark and Gary Sniegowski. His body will be cremated. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Elm Street Baptist Church, 1907 Elm Street, Murphysboro, Illinois, with Rev. Andy Cunningham officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to CurePSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) Foundation, 1206 York Road, Suite L-4, Lutherville, MD 21093. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

George Franklin Ford, Jr.

December 15, 1942 - November 3, 2018