Rodney Ford, age 78, of Gardner, Illinois passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Rodney was born June 9, 1943 in Joliet, Illinois to the late Fred and Pearl Ford. He graduated from Gardner – South Wilmington High School. He married Sharon Ford (Austin) on January 9, 1965 in South Wilmington, Illinois. He worked as a machinist for Caterpillar for 35 years, where he retired in 1996. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Germany during the Vietnam Conflict. He was involved with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Men’s Club of St. Lawrence Parish. Rodney was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and his infant daughter who passed away at birth; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Delores Austin. Rodney is survived by his wife, Sharon Ford; his two daughters, Toni Schaner and Teri Ford; and his four grandchildren: Ryan Schaner, Kaylee Schaner, Julia Kevin and Jack Kevin. Cremation rites were accorded. A Memorial Visitation for Rodney was at the R. W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory, Braidwood, Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the prayer service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to GSW High School Bass Fishing Team, where we hope to inspire others to find a love of fishing just like Rodney did. Rodney’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses at Morris Hospital and Burgess Square Rehabilitation Center in Westmont. For more information and to sign his online guestbook, please log on to: www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com or find us on Facebook.

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