George Franklin Ford, Jr., 75, of Murphysboro, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 12:10 pm Saturday, November 3, 2018, surrounded by 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 grew up in NW Ohio and SE Michigan, which led to being a lifelong fan of the "Maize and Blue Michigan Wolverines". Later the family moved to Lima, OH, where George graduated from Shawnee High School.

George attended The University of Toledo and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering.

George held numerous different positions during a fifty year career. He worked for Owens Corning Fiberglass, early in his career. He came to Carbondale to work at Tuck Tape in the 1970's. He also worked as a plant engineer at Allen Industries (Sheller Globe) in Herrin, as an Industrial Maintenance Consultant in North Carolina and he taught Electronics Technology at SIU School of Technical Careers. He then was a plant manager of a spa company in New York and later worked for United Technologies in Holland, Michigan. He relocated to Bloomington, Illinois, and worked at Mitsubishi Motors of North America as an electrical engineer in Normal, Illinois for over twenty years.

Mr. Ford attended Fairview Christian Church in Pomona, Illinois.

He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed cooking, especially grilling out with family and friends and was always the best breakfast cook. He was an avid spectator of his kids and grandkid's sporting events and was their biggest fan. When not attending his kid's events, he enjoyed the hobby of announcing at local softball games. He was very much a "people person" and could hold a conversation with anyone at any age. He was always the life of the party and had numerous friends in 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 (AJ) Cunningham and Brie (Tim) Imhoff, all of Murphysboro and George Franklin Ford, III of Carbondale;

nine grandchildren Dr. Adam (Devon) Hirschfeld, MD, Alden (Lauren) and Addison (Alexa) Hirschfeld, Macie, Levi, Hallie, and Dalton Cunningham, and John and Elijah Imhoff;

six great grandchildren Hayden, Bastian and Hunter Hirschfeld, Vivian and Carson Hirschfeld and Witten Hirschfeld;

one brother James Ford of Atlanta, GA; and one sister Patricia (Joe) Howell of Waynesfield, OH;

four brothers in law James (Cindy), Kenneth, Stephen, and Robert (Gloriann) Sniegowski;

three sisters in law Jane Frost, Susan (Oscar) Little, and Marjorie (Stan Wagganer) Sniegowski;

and numerous nieces and nephews including Kris (Daniel) Pruneau, James (Lauren) Ford, II, Michael and Jeffrey Ford, Chuck and Nathan (Stephanie) Howell; several great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.

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 and two brothers in law Mark and Gary Sniegowski.

Per George's wishes, his brain was donated to CurePSP to help find a cure and his body was cremated. Memorial Services will be held at 11 am Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Elm Street Baptist Church, 1907 Elm Street, Murphysboro, Illinois, with Rev. Andy Cunningham officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 am Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to CurePSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), 1206 York Road, Suite L-4, Lutherville, MD 21093 or Fairview Christian Church, Pomona, Illinois. For more information, please visit http://www.pettettfuneralhome.com.