Alva Franklin Ford

Alva Franklin Ford, 98, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Mill Pond Health Campus in Greencastle on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

He was born June 7, 1926 to Jesse Clifford Ford and Della Beatrice (Betty) Hathaway Ford.

Franklin graduated from Roachdale High School in 1944.

He married Annis Josephine (Newgent) Ford on July 4, 1947 and was married for 50 years. Franklin married Dorothy Lawler on May 29, 1999 and they were married for 15 years.

Survivors include his son, Nelson (Sunny) Ford; daughter Nancy (Steve) Michael; grandchildren Peter (Kara) Michael, Connor (Lyssi) Ford and Mary Ann Michael (fiance Carlos Gomez); beloved great-grandsons Truman, Edison and Winston Michael; sister-in-law Arlene Ford; several nieces and nephews; bonus children Carol Lawler, Barbara Campbell, Beverly (Ellery) Girard, Diana (Glenn) McIntosh and Dale Lawler; along with several bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Franklin was preceded in death by his wife, Annis Josephine (Newgent) Ford; wife Dorothy J. (Lawler) Ford; brother Melvin E. Ford; parents Jesse C. Ford and Della Beatrice Hathaway Ford; and granddaughters Christine and Katherine Michael.

Franklin was a lifetime farmer with his father, Jesse, and his brother, Melvin. For more than 50 years, they owned a family farm operation, which included dairy farming, raising cattle and growing grain crop.

Franklin was a lifetime member of the Roachdale Christian Church, where he served as a deacon. He was a 75-year member of both Roachdale Masonic Lodge No. 602 and the Roachdale Eastern Star No. 247, where he served in numerous officer positions over the years. Franklin was a longtime member of the Roachdale Lions Club. He served as Franklin Township trustee, on the Franklin Township Advisory Board and on the North Putnam School Board.

He enjoyed woodworking and loved giving his pieces to friends and family. He enjoyed supporting his son and daughter in their 4-H activities and was highly involved in their success. He was always interested in politics and democracy and was a great supporter of Nancy when she entered the political arena.

Franklin was not a complicated man, but one of honesty, truth and trust. He was a farmer through and through, steadfast and resilient. A faithful man, God, church and family were the foundations of his life. Although he tried to say he wasn’t social, he loved people and making them smile. He loved reminiscing about family, farming and Roachdale. He was appreciative of anything done for him. He was never assuming and was always taken aback and grateful for the cards, calls and visits from others. He never gave up and always knew God was in control. He always believed, “Expect the worst, hope for the best and take what comes.” That was his high school class motto.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Mill Pond Health Campus and Life’s Journey Hospice for their sincere love, support and prayers. We will cherish their care and love forever.

Visitation will be held at the Roachdale Christian Church on Tuesday, June 25 from 5-8 p.m., with Order of the Eastern Star and Masonic services at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26 from 10-11 a.m. Ministers Dr. John Nolan and Nate Bryan will officiate a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the Roachdale Cemetery immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Roachdale Christian Church, 202 Franklin St., Roachdale, IN 46172.

You are invited to read Franklin’s online obituary at www.serviesmorgan.com, where you may sign the online register book or leave a condolence for the family.

Arrangements entrusted to Servies & Morgan Funeral Home, Roachdale.