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Happening ... in the Local Church
State
Sen. Ford remembered as man of faith, family and service
By Louisa J.
Reese
For The
Catholic Moment
MUNCIE — The late state Sen. David Ford was remembered as a faithful Catholic, a devoted father and a true public servant at his funeral Mass on March 8.
The Hartford City Republican, 59, died of complications associated with pancreatic cancer on March 5. A former Blackford County prosecutor, he had represented District 19 since 1994. The district includes all or parts of Adams, Allen, Blackford, Grant and Wells counties in northeastern Indiana.
Ford was “a model politician, a man who viewed things through the eye of faith and reason,” Bishop William L. Higi told several hundred mourners at St. Mary Church. “He was a credit to his Church and a credit to his profession.”
In a statement, Glenn Tebbe, executive director of the Indiana Catholic Conference, said that Ford was respected by Republicans and Democrats alike.
“He looked out for the common good and had an eye on the long term, and not political advantage,” Tebbe said.
He praised Ford for his support of school choice proposals and a stem cell bill that set limits on cloning. Both were important issues to Indiana’s bishops.
Bishop Higi was principal celebrant of the funeral Mass. Concelebrants were Father David Newton, Father Ed Kacena and Father Robert Williams. Deacon Gary Kuenz assisted, Jeff Kieffer was cantor and Richard Grill was organist.
The church was full, despite wintry winds and snow-covered roads. Those attending included lawmakers and Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.
Facing the casket, covered with the pall, a row of floral arrangements accented with tiny American flags lined the front of the sanctuary.
“The
name David means beloved,” Father Newton said in his homily. “With the
outpouring of love and appreciation over the last few weeks, it’s abundantly
clear that David was very appropriately named.”
Ford had not served in the Statehouse since Jan. 15, when he fell critically ill. Father Newton visited him at home, and saw bags and large boxes filled with cards and letters.
Ford, a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Hartford City, was a reader at Mass. Father Newton, his pastor, said, “I can assure you when he proclaimed the Word of God, you listened … Clearly, God and faith were an important part of who David was.”
In January, Ford was hospitalized in Fort Wayne and the family was told that he would not be able to return home to Hartford City.
“But in a miraculous way, David did come home. That was a great blessing,” Father Newton said. “He began working from home … continuing to stay connected with those in the Statehouse.
“Finally at home, to be at peace with God, to receive the sacraments of the Church, to be surrounded by love in life and in dying,” he said. “... Dave knew he was blessed.”
Ford, a Hartford City native, was reared in Montpelier. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, a master’s in business administration from Ball State University and a law degree from IU. He was an Air Force veteran.
Senate colleagues recognized him as an expert on rural and technological issues.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce; sons, Jeffrey, Matthew and Andrew; a daughter, Kelly Konzel, and two grandchildren.
In February, Ford managed to attend Jeffrey’s wedding in Chicago.
Jeffrey eulogized his father.
“As I got older,” he said, “... he challenged me to think about how my decision would impact others and think about how (it) would impact my own personal faith … In spite of all his accomplishments ... he still knew his most prized possessions were his honesty and his integrity.”
“He’s probably the most respected man in the Statehouse, as far as his integrity and character,” said Rep. Tim Harris, R-Marion.
A longtime friend, Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, said that Ford “walked with God, and God walked with David. In the legislature, we received thousands of e-mails and phone calls and letters from people who knew David Ford, whose lives he touched.
“David is a man (who) belonged to all the people,” Espich said. “He belongs to God. He belongs to his community. ... Outside of God and his family, I think he loved the legislature most.”