Maurice C. Ford, Sr.

Maurice C. Ford, Sr.,  97, of Berwick, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 19, 2021.  Born in Fishing Creek Township on July 13, 1923, he was a son to the late John P. and Jennie E. (Hess) Ford.

Maurice attended Benton High School.  He would then proudly serve his country in the United States Navy during World War II.  Maurice married the love of his life, the former Dorothy Ann Yohey, on December 19, 1942.  Together they would raise their children and share 59 years of marriage.  Maurice worked at Wise Foods in Berwick for 46 years, until his retirement in 1986.    He was an active member of Bethany United Methodist Church, where he served on the Pastor Parish Relations Board, was a member of the Vigil Bible Class of the Sunday school, and was involved in numerous other boards and committees within the church.  He was a member of the Berwick VFW Post 821, drove for the Berwick Volunteer Ambulance for 26 years, and served on the Red Cross Board.  Maurice was active in the Berwick Senior Citizens Club, having served as its president in 1993 and as co-chairman of the organization’s Trip Committee.  He had been instrumental in moving the organization into its current location on Orange Street.  Maurice will be fondly remembered as a kind and caring person who generously gave of his time, energy, and talents and will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to have known him.

Surviving Maurice are a daughter:  Trudy Bower of Berwick; grandchildren:  Tammy Nowakoski-Rubenstein and husband, Don, Jennifer Nowakoski, Timothy Bower and wife, Andrea, Steven Bower, and Tony Ford and wife, Tracy; great-grandchildren:  Brittany Van Horn and husband, Eric, Christopher Nowakoski, Jason Nowakoski and wife, Shayla, and Anna Bower; great-great-grandchildren:  Hudson Van Horn, Brooklyn Nowakoski, and Jayda Nowakoski.

In addition to his parents, Maurice was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, who passed January 6, 2001.  Also preceding was son:  Maurice C. Ford, Jr.; infant daughter: Lori Jayne Ford; siblings:  Glenn Ford, Sylvan Ford, Harry Ford, Paul Ford, Elsie Kern, Leona Swales, and Sara Jane Getz; and son-in-law:  Henry Bower.

Maurice’s services are private with his interment at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Berwick.  His pastor, Rev. Stephen Portner will officiate.  Memorial contributions in his name can be made to Bethany United Methodist Church stained glass window fund, 116 Summerhill Avenue, Berwick, PA 18603.  The Kelchner, McMichael & Readler Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve Maurice’s family.  Online messages of comfort and support can be left at www.kelchnerfuneralhome.com.  

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