W. Deward Ford

W. Deward Ford, 86, of New Castle, Indiana died peacefully on January 22, 2013 at home. He was born in Salt Lick, KY to Hazel Moore Ford and Avery Ford and resided there until he entered the Navy during World War II. He served in the Navy and on the Battleship Libra in the Pacific. When he returned back to Kentucky he met and married Naomi Mary Shrout. They began their lives farming in the Salt Lick area.
In 1953, Deward & Naomi and their 2 daughters moved to the Wilhoite Farm in Mt. Summit, Indiana. He farmed, raised sheep, cattle, hens & chickens and had dairy cattle and later pigs. During their time there he also worked at the Brooks Canning Factory and during that time was blessed with 2 sons. In 1963 Deward bought his own farm in the Millville, In and raised pigs, farmed, and shared a bounty of his garden. He was interested in new ideas and corresponded with Purdue Agriculture. He also began driving school bus for the Nettle Creek School Corp until having a heart attack. He moved to New Castle, Indiana around 1997 to be close to the church he loved and to continue working with their Helping Hands Cupboard at the South Memorial Church of God.
Survivors include a daughter, Deborah Heffelfinger and husband, James of Anderson, Indiana ; and son, Duane Ford and wife, Pam Smith Ford of Thompson Station, Tenn. Grandchildren include Jamie & Katie Heffelfinger of Dublin, Ireland; Joel & Lindsay Heffelfinger of Anderson, Indiana; and Jonathan & Melissa Heffelfinger of Somerset, Ky.; Amber& Rick Branson of St Louis, Mo; Katelin Ford of Franklin, TN; and Wes & Holly Ford of Murfreesboro, Tn. Great Grandchildren include Willie, Conor, Maggie, and Evelyn Rose Heffelfinger and Mason Ford.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Ford, June 8, 2011; daughter, Connie Sue Ford, April, 1959; son, Dwight Dean Ford, Nov 2010
Service will be at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Hinsey Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Reverend Chris Gammello officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Summit Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by the local American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars with an active duty contingent from the United States Navy. Memorial contributions may be given to the South Memorial Church of God, 3800 South Memorial Drive, New Castle, IN 47362 with envelopes available at the funeral home. You may express condolences or share a memory of Deward at www.hinsey-brown.com