Obituary for Donald J Ford
DONALD J. FORD STRUTHERS - Donald J. Ford, 82, died Friday evening, Nov. 27, 2015, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center. Donald, affectionately known as “Don,” was born Dec. 13, 1932, in Ellwood City, Pa., a son of the late Frank and Pauline Alexander Ford.
Raised in Ellwood City, Don relocated his family to Struthers in 1952. He was employed as a boiler maker for Youngstown Sheet & Tube, which later became LTV, retiring after 32 years of service. After retirement, he worked for several years for Carriage Farms doing maintenance work. He served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne from August of 1947 until his honorable discharge in July of 1950, with the rank of private first class. Don was an active member of the Struthers United Methodist Church. At the church, he helped with the food pantry, volunteered in their booth at the Canfield Fair, and was a trustee. He was also a Master Mason and a member of the Hillman Lodge (now Wick) F&AM No. 481.
A quiet and easy going man, Don will always be remembered as a dedicated and loving husband, father, gramps, and wonderful provider for his family. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling with his wife over the years, fishing in Canada and Lake Milton, and scuba diving. Don is survived by his wife, the former Dolores J. Assalone, whom he married March 1, 1952; his daughter, Paula (Paul) Palovich of Warren; two grandchildren, Stephanie (Michael) Fritz of Naperville, Ill. and Vincent Palovich of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Aly Fritz. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brother, Howard Ford. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, at 11 a.m., at the Struthers United Methodist Church, with Pastor Doug Theobald officiating. Interment will follow at Green Haven Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will be received on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring St., Struthers, and Tuesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Mr. Ford’s name to the Struthers United Methodist Church, 33 Sexton St., Struthers, OH 44471.
Raised in Ellwood City, Don relocated his family to Struthers in 1952. He was employed as a boiler maker for Youngstown Sheet & Tube, which later became LTV, retiring after 32 years of service. After retirement, he worked for several years for Carriage Farms doing maintenance work. He served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne from August of 1947 until his honorable discharge in July of 1950, with the rank of private first class. Don was an active member of the Struthers United Methodist Church. At the church, he helped with the food pantry, volunteered in their booth at the Canfield Fair, and was a trustee. He was also a Master Mason and a member of the Hillman Lodge (now Wick) F&AM No. 481.
A quiet and easy going man, Don will always be remembered as a dedicated and loving husband, father, gramps, and wonderful provider for his family. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling with his wife over the years, fishing in Canada and Lake Milton, and scuba diving. Don is survived by his wife, the former Dolores J. Assalone, whom he married March 1, 1952; his daughter, Paula (Paul) Palovich of Warren; two grandchildren, Stephanie (Michael) Fritz of Naperville, Ill. and Vincent Palovich of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Aly Fritz. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brother, Howard Ford. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, at 11 a.m., at the Struthers United Methodist Church, with Pastor Doug Theobald officiating. Interment will follow at Green Haven Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will be received on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring St., Struthers, and Tuesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Mr. Ford’s name to the Struthers United Methodist Church, 33 Sexton St., Struthers, OH 44471.