Ruth Ford

ANNA, Ill. -- Anna Ruth Rink Ford, 72, of Anna died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born on Jan. 3, 1940, in Cairo, Ill., the daughter of Francis and Anna Marie Bucher Rink.

Ruth graduated from Cairo High School in 1957. On June 7, 1958, at St. Patrick's Church in Cairo, she married Bill Ford and they shared more than 53 happy years together.

Over the years, Ruth worked at her parents' grocery store, Rink's Superette. She also worked for the telephone company, Partridge Florist, Teen Town and had been manager of the Interstate 57 rest area. She also enjoyed teaching many flower arranging classes. Ruth, better known as Nana, is best known for the daycare that she and Bill had in their home for more than 25 years. Nana also enjoyed attending various school and sporting events in which her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were involved. Ruth was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and also the Ladies Guild. She also was a longtime member of Home Extension.

Survivors include her husband of Anna; two sons, Mike (Rhonda) Ford of Buncombe, Ill., and Jeff (Diane) Ford of Charleston, Mo.; a daughter, Amy (Rich) King of Buncombe; 10 grandchildren, Andrew Carr of Crestview, Fla., Joey (Adria) Ford of Cobden, Ill., Ryan Ford of Charleston, Mo., Jodi (Corey) South of Anna, Haley Ford of Murray, Ky., Justin Ford and Jessie of Dongola, Ill., Cody and Katy King of Buncombe, Zach Ford of Anna and Jacqueline Ford of Buncombe; and three great-grandchildren, Raleigh, Jamie and Kaylee Ford.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Mark Ford; four brothers-in-law, Loren Ford Jr., Donald Ford, Jim Soper and David Brown; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Brown and Barbara Ford; and a nephew, Tony Woming.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro. Rosary service will held at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anna with Father Federico Higuera officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge, Ill.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.crainsonline.com.