Donald C. Ford, 81, of Mellette, SD, died Thursday, November 12, 2009 at Aberdeen Health and Rehab. His funeral will be Monday, November 16, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Northwestern United Methodist Church in Mellette. Reverend Jon Damaska will officiate. Burial will be in the Mellette Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Donald was born June 15, 1928 in Aberdeen, SD to Henry and Hazel (Farnham) Ford. He grew up in the Mellette area and graduated from Mellette High School in 1946. Don married Ruth Arthurs September 5, 1946 in Webster. Don farmed and lived all his life on the farm near Mellette.

Don was a member of the South Dakota Wheat Growers Board for many years. He was active in the community and served on the cemetery board and Fire Department. He was also a member of the Northwestern United Methodist Church.

Don enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening, but mostly spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Don and Ruth enjoyed camping, from the early days in a tent and a two burner stove to the later years in a fifth wheel camper. They spent many winters in South Padre Island, TX.

Don is survived by his children: Jerry Ford of Redfield; Raymond (Dianne) Ford of Aberdeen, SD; Sharon (Ray) Abbott of Loveland, CO; Sheila (Tim) Odland of Redfield; and Terry "Doc" Ford of Mellette; ten grandchildren: Mike, Wes, Scott and Jeff Ford, Clayton and Timmy Odland, Tonya Croeni, Lori Morrill, Lesa Bauman and Rita Bender, twenty great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Fern Schmidt of Redfield and his brothers: Jarland Ford of St. Paul, MN; Carson Ford of Mellette and Billy Ford of Mellette.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth on April 29, 2008, an infant son Wesley, his brother Roger and a daughter-in-law Char Ford.