Florence Gertrude Jeup Ford  

Birth: Dec. 23, 1898 Indianapolis Marion County Indiana, Death: Nov. 24, 1991 Wabash Wabash County Indiana, Burial: Falls Memorial Gardens Wabash Wabash County Indiana

Florence Gertrude Jeup was the daughter of Barnard J. T. and Emma (Dithmer) Jeup of Indianapolis, Indiana. She was a graduate of Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, attended Western College for Women, and received a bachelor's degree in music from Wellesley College.

Florence was a professional violinist in Indianapolis. Before she married, she taught music and English at the Chippewa School in Wabash County.

Florence was married on June 27, 1925 at the First Congregational Church in Indianapolis to Wilbur Edwin Ford, son of Edwin Holton and Elizabeth (Neff) Ford of Wabash, Indiana.

They immediately returned to Wabash where Florence was a resident for a total of 68 years.

They had four children: Virginia (1926), Stanley Wilbur (1928-1978), David Jeup (1929-1979) and Richard Edwin (1939) Ford; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was a founding member and past president of the Wabash Unit of the Indianapolis Symphony Women's Committee, and a member of the First United Methodist Church, past president of the church's Women's Society of Christian Service, honorary trustee of Bauman Bible Telecasts, former director of Wabash Valley Music Association, member Mu Phi Alpha honorary music sorority, former member of the Tuesday Club, an honorary member of the Round Table and Wabash Musicale, and a charter member of the Wabash Country Club

Children:

Virginia Ford (1926 - 2014)

Birth: Jun. 3, 1928Wabash Wabash County Indiana Death: Jan. 25, 1978 Wabash Wabash County Indiana Burial: Falls Memorial Gardens Wabash Wabash County Indiana married Marilyn Hanson in 1957 and had 3 sons.

Stanley Wilbur Ford (1928 - 1978)

Birth: Nov. 2, 1929 Wabash Wabash County Indiana Death: Feb. 27, 1979 Wabash Wabash County Indiana, USA Burial: Falls Memorial Gardens Wabash Wabash County Indiana

David Jeup Ford was the third of four children born to Wilbur Edwin and Florence Gertrude (Jeup) Ford of Wabash, Indiana.

He graduated from Wabash High School in 1947. In 1951 he received a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University and was a member of Acacia fraternity and Tau Beta Pi engineering fraternity. He attended Culver Military Academy summer school.

David joined the Ford Meter Box in 1961 and had been a company officer since 1964.

The Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce named David its 1964 Distinguished Citizen. He was the third member of his immediate family to receive the honor. Called a community spirited person, David anonymously donated the new all-weather track at Wabash High School. He was responsible for having the organ at the First United Methodist Church renovated and gave his own personal electric organ for the church chapel. When he purchased the Eagles Theater organ, he had it reconditioned and gave it to White's Institute.

A musician, David played the piano, organ, flute and piccolo. Always interested in young musicians, he accompanied many Wabash High School students in state music competitions. Among them was Crystal Gayle. Though he had been in ill health, he made a special effort to take part in the Crystal Gayle celebration in Wabash in December 1978. He played in the Wabash Community Band, the Wabash Community Service Orchestra and the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a member of the American Guild of Organists.

David had been director of the Wabash Valley Dance Theater since its inception. He had served as treasurer, was technical director and took part in its productions. He also accompanied the ballet to conferences. He was a member of the Wabash Community Theater and carried roles in some of its productions.

He had been active in sports and while a student at Wabash High School received the annual Gridiron award. He was an avid sports spectator. He donated his eyes to the Indiana Lions Eye Bank. His youth work included helping coach the high school track team, aiding the Wabash Country Club swim team and heading an Explorer Scout troop. He used his own bus to transport Scout troops and students in out-of-town athletic events.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and his work there included high school Sunday School class teaching, board of stewards, ushering, Sunday School superintendent and providing music. Active in Republican politics, he served two terms as a Wabash City councilman. He was a member of the Lincoln Club.

He was a past president of Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce and its Industrial Division. He was a past president and honorary member of Wabash Exchange Club. He was a member of the Wabash Quarterback Club, Wabash Country Club and Columbia Club, Indianapolis. He formerly served on the Wabash Community Service Foundation and was a past president of the Wabash Valley Civic Music Association.

In 1964 he organized Explorer Post 29 and served many years as its leader. He also had been a United Fund worker.

David served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1951 to 1953.

He did not marry nor have children.

Richard Edwin Ford (1939 - 2014)