Elaine M. Ford, 96, of Tonica passed away October 15, 2020 at Manor Court in Peru.

Private funeral services will be Wednesday at the Tonica United Methodist Church in Tonica with Pastor Deepak Holkar officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM in the church on Wednesday. The Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica is assisting the family with arrangements. Due to Covid-19, please respect social distancing and wear a mask. Those wishing to virtually attend the funeral services will be able to stream it on the Hurst Funeral Home Facebook page starting at 11:00 AM.

Mrs. Ford was born September 26, 1924 to Merlin and Lillian (Holly) Lambert. She attended the Ashley country grade school, Tonica High School, attended Oberlin College in Ohio, and Illinois Wesleyan College in Bloomington where she received her degree. She taught music in Heyworth and for one year in Mendota. After the war, she married Burdette Ford on August 22, 1948. Elaine was a farm wife and raised four boys.

Mrs. Ford was an accomplished soloist and sang at many local weddings and funerals. She was active in the United Methodist Church in Tonica; she sang in the choir, was the youth choir director was a lay speaker and later attended and taught the adult Sunday school class. She had a deep faith and enjoyed attending church functions.

Mrs. Ford enjoyed ballroom dancing with Burdette; traveling to Peoria, Moline, and Edgewood; and hosting dance parties in her home. Mrs. Ford was also a Cub Scout Den Mothers for the Tonica Pack. She enjoyed watching stage plays at Stage 212 and Engle Lane Theatre.

Mrs. Ford is survived by four sons Dennis (Pamela) Ford of Tonica, Gary (Rita) Ford of Tonica, Roger (Monica) Ford of Phoenix, AZ, and Duane (Sheri) Ford of Covington, GA; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren with 2 more on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Burdette on January 3, 2014.

Pallbearers will be Adam, Evan, Joshua, Brian, Mathew, and Nicholas Ford, also Brian Gross, David Greer, and Davis Eng.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tonica Fire Department or the Tonica United Methodist Church.