Everett Ford

Everett R. “E.R.” Ford, 85, of Peoria, passed away at 11:07 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria, with Pastor Don Johnson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Interment will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, with military honors by the U.S. Navy.
Everett was born in Kickapoo on June 5, 1926, a son of Harry Everett and Hazel Francis (Symonds) Ford. He married Alice M. Wagner on July 2, 1972 in Peoria. She preceded him in death on October 19, 2005 in Peoria Heights. He was formerly married to Agnes Eileen Scott. He was also preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, one sister and one step-daughter.
He is survived by his daughters, Nita Lucille (Larry) King and Lorraine (Ben) Deluhery of Manito and Louise Burford of Peoria; sons, Steven Levi Ford of St. Johns, AZ and Everett Leroy Ford of Powhatan, VA; sisters, Louise Pauli of Peoria Heights and Martha Kay (George) Josenhans of Peoria; step-daughters, Mary Alice Jankowitz of Middlesex, NJ and Charlotte Ann Rains of Peoria Heights; step-son, Eddie (Mary) Leason of Texas; twenty-five grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter.
In 1986, Everett retired from the parts department for Komatsu Dresser in Peoria, after thirty-seven years of service.
He was a World War II U.S. Navy Veteran, earning the Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with three stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars.
Everett enjoyed golfing, listening to music, dancing and playing piano and keyboard. He had a zest for life and a desire to live for Christ. He always had an aspiration to learn something new.
He enjoyed listening to Elvis, BB King, contemporary and Big Band music. He collected music song books and enjoyed watching golf, especially Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods. He liked spending his time at his church, Hanna City Presbyterian, and at McDonald’s - but most enjoyed spending time at home playing his keyboard or visiting friends and family.
Everett will be remembered for his generous, loving and kind spirit. He was always respectful, happy and outgoing.
Memorial contributions may be made in Everett’s memory to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund in Manito or the Pekin First Church of the Nazarene Building Fund.

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