Rose Mary Ford, 74, of West Mansfield, Ohio, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, November 23, 2023.
She was born on February 25, 1949, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, the daughter of the late Charles C Fulkerson and Alberta (Wallace) Fulkerson, who survives in Rushsylvania. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Karissa D. Ford in 1972.
On July 30, 1967, she married Robert D. “Bob” Ford, and he survives. She is also survived by four children: Kenneth (Meredith) Ford of North Lewisburg, Kay (Michael) Amstutz of Ashland, OH, Kileen Rockhold (Justin Brown) of West Mansfield, OH, and Katie (George) Kennedy of West Liberty, OH. Rose Mary was a devoted grandmother to Addison (Ashley) Ford, Ainsley (Britney) Ford, Thomas Ford, Robert L. Ford, Aaron Amstutz, Megan Amstutz, Darian (Tim) Arvin, Dalton Rockhold (Aly Brose), Jalan (Matthew) Snow, Jozlyn Brown, Jake Kennedy, Hayden Kennedy, Taylor Kennedy as well as a doting great-grandmother to Callie, Sawyer, and Oaklynn. She is also survived by her siblings, Sheryl (Sonny) Goings, Charles P. (Lana) Fulkerson, and Jeannie (Gary) Wren, her mother-in-law, June Ford of West Mansfield, and sister-in-law, Sharyl (Don) Sines, and many nieces and nephews.
Throughout her life, Rose Mary found joy in caring for her four children and creating a loving home for them. Her commitment as a homemaker was evident as she nurtured and raised her children with love and support. In addition to her role as a mother, Rose Mary worked as a baker at the Plaza Inn as well as providing in-home childcare for several years.
A woman of many talents, Rose Mary also found fulfillment in various hobbies and interests. She devoted years of her life as a 4-H advisor, teaching sewing and cooking skills to the young members of the Ridgeway Top Notchers 4-H Club. For over 40 years, she had a passion for quilting and spent many hours creating beautiful pieces with her neighborhood friends. Gardening was another outlet through which she expressed her creativity while enjoying the serene beauty of nature. Rose Mary enjoyed monthly gatherings with her friends playing Bunco.
She was a lifelong member of the Rushsylvania Presbyterian Church. Since childhood, she found solace within the walls of the church where she grew up. Her dedication to faith and her involvement in church activities enriched the lives of those around her.
The family would like to thank both the Ohio Health Oncology Care Team as well as the caring staff of Universal Home Health & Hospice for all of the wonderful care Rose Mary received.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N Main Street in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Her cousin, Doug Copp and Linda Smith will officiate a funeral service on Wednesday, November 29, at 11 a.m. at the same location. Burial will follow in Rushsylvania Cemetery.
In honor of Rose Mary’s kind-hearted nature and her dedication to children, her family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to a local charity of the donor’s choosing.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Ford family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.