It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Carroll Ford, 90, originally of Kinmundy.
Carroll was born on June 16, 1935, to Gilbert and Edith (Bailey) Ford in rural Kinmundy. He graduated from LaGrove High School in Farina and was a farmer through and through. The only thing he loved more than the land was his Barbie. After meeting while roller skating, he would date and then marry the love of his life, Barbara Fitzjarrald, on August 25, 1968. They would spend 57 loving years together and shared a wonderful life.
Carroll was a man of many interests. An Army veteran, a member of the American Legion, Farm Bureau, and NRA, he loved farming and the hard work he put into it. He also enjoyed reading history, following the stock market, watching sports, and drinking coffee with friends. He always looked forward to traveling and had visited 50 states and multiple countries. He was ready for a drive anytime and anywhere, and he loved to meet people and tell stories. But the greatest joy of his life came from spending time with his beloved wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandsons, and many friends and family. His absence is a hole that won’t ever be filled, and he will be missed by all those who knew him.
He is survived by his adored wife, Barbara Ford; daughter, Carla (Ford) Williams; son-in-law, Evan Williams; grandsons: Jackson Williams and Alexander Williams; and many cousins, in-laws, and extended family, neighbors, and friends, including the Williams, Ford, Fitzjarrald, and Blomberg-Baylis families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert “Bert” and Edith Ford.
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Farina United Methodist Church. A time of visitation will be held from 9:30 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Kinmundy, and a luncheon will then be held at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for Carroll’s adopted granddaughter, Ellie Baylis, or his farming neighbor, Kevin Roberts, both of whom have faced health issues. The donations will be accepted at the service or at Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home, PO Box 97 / 310 N. Broadway, Salem, Illinois 62881, which is honored to be of help to Carroll’s family during this time. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or by visiting the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home Facebook page.
