Robbie L. Ford

December 17, 1924 - June 2, 2019

Robbie L. Ford, age 94 years, a resident of Vienna, left for his eternal home at 5:45 AM Sunday, June 02, 2019, from the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, Kentucky. Robbie was born 1 mile southeast of Vienna in Johnson County Illinois on December 17, 1924. He was the eldest son of eight children born to Loren Marshall and Freeda Lee (Hester) Ford. On September 17, 1948, Robbie was united in marriage to Marietta Canupp by Justice of the Peace Josh Arnold in Vienna. Robbie jokingly recalled that the wedding cost $5.00. Together, Robbie and Marietta were blessed with over 70 years of marriage. In addition to his beloved wife Marietta, Robbie is also survived by: 3 sons and a daughter: Bob (Susan) Ford of Mt. Vernon and their children: Shawn (Calvin) Stevenson, Chris (Michelle) Ford, Jeanetta Ford, Justin (Shay) Ford, and Jesse (Jennifer) Ford; Linda (David) Hale of Anna and their children: Chrystal Hale, Robbie (Missy) Hale, B.J. (Cristy) Hale, and Kim Hale & Chris; Dennis (Cindy) Ford of Mt. Vernon and their children: Shelley Fritch and Stacey (Jeremy) Jones; and Gerald (Sheila) Ford of Ozark and their children: Melissa (Matt) Miller and Josh (Aerial) Ford; 19 great grandchildren; 6 step great grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren; 5 step great-great grandchildren; a brother – Ralph (Ella) Ford of Vienna; sisters-in-law – Dorothy Canupp and Lorene Canupp; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, Robbie was preceded in death by: 3 brothers and 2 sisters-in-law – Loren (Barbara) Ford, Jr., Bill (Ruth) Ford, and Donald Ford; and 3 sisters and 2 brothers-in-law – Gertrude (Everett) Brown, Wilma (David) Brown and Betty Ann “Sue” Phillips; 2 brothers-in-law: Andrew Canupp and Leonard Canupp; and a sister-in-law - Muriel (Charlie) Henry. Robbie was a graduate of Number # 9 grade school. He enjoyed farming and worked for 6 years in fruit orchards. Robbie then spent over 20 years working as a carpenter. During 3 years that he worked in Kansas City, Robbie roofed 21 homes all by himself. He was also involved in the construction of a number of local commercial structures, including: the original (rustic) campus at Shawnee Community College, the Olmsted Bank, and the former IGA (now Miles’ Brothers) grocery store building in Vienna as well as portions of the Marion Federal Penitentiary. Robbie also worked for E.T. Simonds Construction Company and was involved in the construction of all of the I-24 bridges in Johnson County Illinois. He retired in 1987 from the City of Vienna. Robbie was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, camping and coon hunting. Robbie also loved to mow his yard. Robbie was a faithful member of Reynoldsburg Church near Tunnel Hill. A service honoring the life of Robbie Ford will be conducted Thursday, June 6, 2019, at 1 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor David Nelson will officiate. Burial will be in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 AM – 1 PM Thursday, June 6, 2019, at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, Illinois 62995