Clide Ford, Jr

VAN WERT, Ohio - Clide E. Ford, Jr., 86, of Van Wert, died at 2:04 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert.

He was born Oct. 20, 1926, in Van Wert, to the late Ruah Jane (Gamble) Ford and Clide E. Ford, Sr.

His wife, Patricia (Harden) Ford, survives in Van Wert. They were married May 22, 1955.

Other survivors include children: Cynthia Elaine Ford (fiance - Terry Rigby) of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Vickie Lynn (Clay) Smith of Winchester, Ky., and Deborah Sue (James) Pfoser of Escondido, Calif.; a sister: Gloris E. Ford of Van Wert; grandchildren: Dr. Clayton (Sara) Smith, Michelle Lynn (1st Lieutenant Joshua Scott) Pitcher and Samuel J. Pfoser, and a great-granddaughter: Emily Grace Smith.

He was preceded in death by his brothers: Gilford "Gil" Ford, Jim Ford, Henry Ford and Clayton Ford, and sisters: Vetha Sennebogen and Viola Mae Ford.

He was a retired finish carpenter who formerly worked at Borden's Foods in Van Wert. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Van Wert. He was a veteran of WWII who served in the US Navy and a member of Van Wert American Legion. He was a graduate of Van Wert High School Class of 1944 where he was voted best male athlete. He was very athletic, pitched a lot of softball games, loved to play golf and walk his dogs.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. The Rev. Paul W. Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Military graveside services will be conducted by the combined units of the Van Wert American Legion & VFW Posts. Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Van Wert Area Visiting Nurses or Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.