Charles Dale Ford, age 85, formerly of Waldo, WI, passed away on October 12, 2022 at Pine Haven
Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls.
He was born on December 10, 1936 in Plymouth, WI, a son of the late Dale and Maila (Andrus) Ford.
Charles graduated from Plymouth High School in 1954, where he was class president and was awarded
the Federal American Farmer Degree by President Harry Truman. He proudly served in the United States
National Guard.
On April 4, 1959, he married Johanna Mueller. Charles worked on Ford Farms with his Dad and brother,
Bill for about 35 years. Ford Farms was a veal and dairy farm with about 800 head of Holstein and about
2000 veal calves. They raised crops of hay and corn on over 1500 acres of land and milked about 400
cows in their parlor. Their unique operation also processed and bottled their own milk under the Ford
Farms label. Ford Farms milk was sold in a mini-mart and grocery store they owned in addition to being
sold in mini-marts throughout Sheboygan County. Ford Farms was known for being the largest
independent grower of veal in the nation.
When most of their children were grown and starting their own families, they moved to Spring Green,
WI, where Charles worked for Underhill Veal Farms and helped his wife, Jo, raise Boxer dogs. One of his
dogs, Jolie, was shown successfully throughout the Midwest. After retiring, they moved back to
Sheboygan County where Charles continued to work in many capacities helping local farmers and the
agricultural community.
Besides farming, Charles was especially proud of the Ford Family race team that competed with the
Badger Midget Auto Racing Association, USAC, MARA, and NAMAR for about 6 years. He enjoyed
watching auto racing and the Green Bay Packers.
Survivors include his wife, Johanna of Sheboygan Falls; six children, Charles W. (Dawn) Ford Jr. of Cedar
Grove, Brian (Brian) Ford of California, Peggy (Alan) Preder of Sheboygan Falls, Mark (Dave) Ford of
North Carolina, Jennifer (David) Labadie of Minnesota, and Edward Ford of Kansas; eleven
grandchildren, Alexandria, Brandon, Jake, Max, Russell, Nicole (Ty), Sophia, Nicholas, Charlotte, Jett, and
Easton; and two sisters-in-law, Theresa Weimann and Margie Federer.
He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by
his parents; brother, William “Bill” (Ruth) Ford; and sister, Helen (Willard) Johnston.
Visitation will be held on Sunday (October 23 rd ) at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth from 10:00 AM
– 12:00 PM, with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 PM. Rev. RaeAnn Beebe will officiate. Burial will be
at Winooski Cemetery.
Military rites will be accorded by the Ladewig-Zinkgraf American Legion Post #243 at Winooski
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Plymouth FFA in memory of Charles.
The Suchon Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit
www.suchonfh.com.
The family would like to send a special thanks to the staff of Pine Haven for all the care and compassion
given to Charles.
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