Michael & Frances Ford

Michael Alan Ford August 30, 1946 - July 2, 2025 Michael "Mick" Alan Ford, 78, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, passed away of natural causes on July 2, 2025. Mick was born on August 30, 1946, at West Point, New York, to Master Sergeant Alfred J. Ford and Mary A. Ford (née Carroll). His father's long military career in the U.S. Army meant that Mick spent much of his childhood moving frequently-living overseas in Germany and Greece, then stateside in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and eventually Pueblo, Colorado. After graduating from high school in Pueblo, he briefly attended college as a music major before enlisting in the United States Army in February 1966. Mick served with distinction in Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division and was honorably discharged in 1969. Back in Pennsylvania, Mick began a new chapter with his first wife, Catherine Smith. Together, they lovingly raised their son, Ryan. In 1970, Mick also embarked on what would become a long and distinguished career in public service with the Pennsylvania State Police. Trooper Ford graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1970. He began his tenure with Troop J in southern Chester County, where he also volunteered as a firefighter with the Longwood Fire Company for 13 years. In the second half of his career, Mick found fulfillment back at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. His role as an instructor at the Academy later led to unique opportunities, including serving as Supervisor of the Mounted Unit and helping to establish the Ceremonial Unit. Among his proudest contributions was organizing and leading the training of the State Police Academy classes at Fort Indiantown Gap in 1991-an experience he often described as one of the most meaningful of his career. Mick retired as a Lieutenant in 1996 after 26 years of dedicated and faithful service. Frances Miller Ford July 10, 1944 - July 2, 2025 Frances "Fran" Miller Ford (née Frances Elaine Miller), 80, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, passed away of natural causes on July 2nd, 2025. Fran was born on July 10, 1944, in Oakland, California, to Captain Jack and Dorothy Miller (née McLeod). Alongside her sister Dottie, Fran's early years were shaped by her father's Navy career. Military life brought the family to various locations including Australia where she spent her high school years and had some memorable adventures. Fran went on to study at the Corcoran School of Art, where she developed her natural artistic talents and subsequently took her first job as a graphic designer. Fran married and soon welcomed three daughters-Mandie, Kate, and Emily-whom she raised with love and creativity. She filled their childhood with gardening, homemade popsicles, sewing and baking lessons, while involving them in 4-H, gymnastics, track, neighborhood events, and so much more. Faith was also important to Fran. She and her family were very involved in their congregation's Sunday school, acolyting, choir, and church community events. Alongside her service to the PTA and school board, Fran nurtured joy in the everyday-gathering friends for bridge, leading lively game nights with family, and often sitting at the piano to play some of her favorites like "Greensleeves". As the kids grew up, Fran secured a job as a secretary-first at a church and next at a software company. With her signature resourcefulness, dedication and care, she worked her way up through several positions and on to SAP where she worked for 18 years before retiring as the Senior Director of Proposals. Fran became active in her local Episcopal church where she served faithfully in many capacities. Whether in group settings or individually, Fran's congregation knew her as a mentor and a woman of faith. Together in Life and Legacy On September 20, 1988, Mick and Fran found lasting love and married in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Over the course of their 36-year marriage, they built a life rooted in love, humor, and resilience-devoted not only to each other but to their children and grandchildren. Fran embraced Mick's son, Ryan, with gratitude, just as Mick embraced Mandie, Kate, and Emily. They treasured their six grandchildren-AJ, Aurora, Zach, Jack, Jonah, and Elliot-and took great joy in staying connected with each of them, from their earliest days through their college years. Their relationship brought out the best in both of them. Grounded in deep affection and mutual admiration, theirs was a natural partnership that made even the ordinary feel meaningful. They thrived in time spent together-whether working side by side on home improvement projects, running their own deck-building business, meticulously crafting dollhouses and miniatures, playfully competing at trivia, charades, and Catch Phrase, or setting off on one of their famously spontaneous "left-turn trips" with no destination in mind. In the end, Mick and Fran left this world the same way they so often explored it-together, side by side. They passed peacefully at home, in the place where they had built not just a life, but countless beautiful memories. For those who knew them, it feels only fitting that their next adventure began the same way so many of their favorite journeys did: with no map, just the comfort of each other's presence. As they continue their travels hand in hand, their love and laughter are forever carried in the hearts of those they leave behind. They are survived by their son, Ryan M. Ford; daughters Amanda M. Howard, Kathryn E. Gouéry, and Emily S. Boatwright; and grandchildren Alan L. Boatwright Jr., Aurora F. L. Pittard, Zachary Y. Gouéry, Jack H. Boatwright, Jonah D. Gouéry, and Elliot C. Gouéry. Mick is also survived by his brothers, Alfred J. Ford and James P. Ford. Services and Remembrance A joint memorial service for Mick and Fran will be held 10:00AM on July 14, 2025, at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church followed by a reception with light refreshments. Please note that seating in the sanctuary is limited. Additional seating will be available in the fellowship hall, where the service will be livestreamed. The livestreaming will start a few minutes before the service begins and will also be available here: https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsOaks/ Inurnment with military and state police honors for Mick will take place later that day at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Order of Services on Monday, July 14th, 2025: Saint Paul's Episcopal Church - 126 Black Rock Road, Oaks, PA 19456 8:30AM-10:00AM Visiting hours with family 10:00AM-11:30AM Church service 11:30AM-12:30PM Refreshments Indiantown Gap National Cemetery - 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, PA 17003 2:30PM-3:00PM Committal Service - Inurnment of Michael A. Ford Follow signs for Admin Building and park behind Admin Building by 2:15PM American Legion Post 272 - 507 N. Mountain Road, Linglestown PA 17112 3:30PM-6:30PM Celebration of Life / Collation In honoring Mick and Fran's legacy, the family welcomes stories, memories, and photos from those who knew them. Donations in their memory may be made to Saint Paul's Episcopal Church and American Legion Post 272. (donation button for Post 272 is halfway down the page). Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.