Mark Ford

Mark Ford, Jr., 96, of Robinson, IL, died Thursday, February 6, 2020, in the comfort of his home in Robinson. He was born September 19, 1923, in Princeton, IN, the son of Mark, Sr. & Nannie E. (Whiting) Ford, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Bernice Mae Ibbotson on June 14, 1947, and she preceded him in death on May 6, 2014. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Ralph, Ernest, Earl, Gerald, and Joe Ford; by his sisters, Pauline Harbison, Mary Helen Schroeder and Lois Block; and by his son-in-law, Bob Higginbotham. He is survived by his son & daughter-in-law, Jerry & Jenny Ford (Robinson, IL); his daughter, Sheila Higginbotham (Magnolia, TX); by his grandchildren & their spouses, Jeremy & Trisha Ford (Knoxville, TN), Jill & Roger Sisson (Marshall, IL), Robert Mark Higginbotham (Magnolia, TX), and Kara Beth & Griffin Morgan (Houston, TX); by 4 great-grandchildren, Josie Ford, Carly Sisson, Aaron Sisson, and Alexa Ford; by 2 step-great-grandchildren, Thomas Sisson and John Sisson; as well as several nieces and nephews. Mark grew up in Gibson County, IN, and was a graduate of Mt Olympus High School. He went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. His time in the service found him serving as a medic in the Pacific Theater. Back home, he found employment at a number of different Evansville-area businesses, including his family's farm. He would eventually take his family across the river into Illinois, where he dedicated the rest of his life to tending the fields as a farmer. It comes to no one's surprise that Mark was a hard worker. He was never one to let dust settle and tackled any and every challenge head-on. It was obvious that he carried with him a natural intelligence that served him well over the course of his life. His legacy is one of selfless dedication to that which is right, as well as a devotion to excellence. Years ago, he put his life in Jesus' hands when he was baptized at the Hardinville Christian Church, where he would later serve as elder and deacon. We have assurance that on Thursday, Mark was met with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." A time of visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home with Bro. Dee Wolfe officiating. Burial will be in the Robinson New Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to "New Hebron Christian School", with envelopes available at the funeral home