Mrs. Gail A. Ford, age 69, longtime Greenville High School educator, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2015 at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids.   The daughter of Phillip George & Betty Lenore (Irons) Hilzinger, she was born on May 30, 1946 and earned her Bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University.

Mrs. Ford loved being an English and Social Studies teacher at Greenville Public Schools for 35 years and will be remembered by many for her caring way of bonding with her students…  especially those needing extra encouragement and mentoring.  A life long learner, Mrs. Ford was an avid reader and also enjoyed breeding, raising, and showing her beloved Shelties… but most of all she enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents;  a brother, Phillip Hilzinger, Jr.;  and her husband, James "Jim" Ford in 1984. Surviving are her children, Erin & Samuel Baldwin,  Kami Ford, all of Grand Rapids, and Jack Ford of Greenville;  three grandchildren, Jordan, Jenna, and Jacob;  a brother, Robert & Kathy Hilzinger of Knoxville, Tennessee;  and many other family and friends.

A memorial gathering will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenvillle.  Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place and private interment will be at Bostwick Lake Cemetery.  Instead of flowers, Gail would have preferred contributions in her memory to the Flat River Community Library to purchase books.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. 

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Mrs. Ford's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit:  www.ChristiansenCares.com  Arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville.