Ford Funeral Home

After 13 years working at the other funeral home in the area, Daniel James "D.J." Wright has purchased the Robert L. Ford Funeral Home. Major renovations are underway and it's now called Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home.But Bob Ford is still an integral part of the Route 31 business, which his father opened in 1958. "I'm not anywhere near retired," said Ford, 55. But after his father passed away in 2008 and then his mother last year, he started to wonder seriously what would happen to the home, since his own two children are off on their own careers.He knew the building needed a big facelift but questioned the wisdom of borrowing a large of amount of money to do that, at his age.At about the same time, Wright, 35, left Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home on Main Street in Flemington, where he'd started working as an intern in June 2002, even before getting his state funeral director's license. Over time he began playing a major role, not only arranging funerals but also helping manage operations.Wright said that when told he was no longer needed at Holcombe-Fisher, he know right away he "didn't want to leave Hunterdon County and Flemington" even though he received job offers from all over the state. He's been active in a number of local organizations and considers "the community to be my family."He went to see Bob Ford, whose funeral home is in Raritan Township but on the boundary with Flemington."Bob has always been a colleague," not a competitor, Wright noted. They knew each other well, partly from bumping into each other other in the supermarket late at night, after holding visitations at their funeral parlors.The two came to terms on a sale and the closing was Jan. 31. The transition, Ford said, will let him concentrate on the part of the profession he enjoys most: "taking care of the families" that come in, rather than "the mundane running and managing a business."Renovations started right away, with Eckelmann Brothers Construction of Delaware Township in charge. Flemington architect Chris...

He was predeceased by his wife, Jane H. French, in 2010 after 61 years of marriage.Mr. French was born on May 1, 1927 in Manchester, son of the late Sydney and Mabel (Gamble) French.Russell proudly served in the United States Navy. He was a vice-president of operations in the steel industry and a commercial real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Real Estate prior to his retirement.Mr. French is survived by his children, Jeffery and Peggy French of Morris, Sherry French of New York, N.Y., Connie and Jeffrey Smith of Bailey Island, Maine, Michelle French Carroll of Cheshire, and Renee and David Turley of Durham; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Russ was predeceased by his two brothers, Raymond and Kingsley French, and a sister, Jean Vezan.A Funeral Service for Russell will be held at 10 a.m. on April 29, 2017 at The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury, 9 Holmes Ave., 06710. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, 76 Walnut St., Torrington, CT 06790. Donations in his name may be made to Bantam Lake Protective Association, P.O. Box 37, Morris, CT 06763. To view these arrangements, and to share a condolence or an online photo, please visit www.fordfh.com.

Knoche, Sr., 57, passed away at 10:19am on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born on February 16, 1960, in Wood River, Illinois, the son of Pauline Knoche of West Plains, Missouri. In addition to his mom, survivors include his best friend and companion: Tamra Koch, five daughters: Angela Starks of Buckeye, Arizona, Melony Martin of Yuma, Arizona, Lee Ann Herndon of South Roxana, Nicole Wilson and her husband: Jake of Staunton, Taylor Knoche of West Plains, Missouri, two sons: Terry Knoche, Jr. of Staunton, Jerry Knoche of Godfrey, thirteen grandchildren, three sisters: Deirdre Etris and her husband: Rick of Charleston, South Carolina, Paula Emmons of West Plains, Missouri, Stacey McGuiggan of West Plains, Missouri, one brother: Wayne Schaaf and his wife: Mary of Cottage Hills, Illinois, many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.Terry formerly owned and operated Knoche Masonry for many years. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, hunting, watching college softball, playing poker, and watching NASCAR. He attended Good News Baptist Church in West Plains, Missouri.He was preceded in death by his step – father: Jim Malone and his grandparents: Clarence and Elsie Knoche.In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Friday, April 7, 2017, at the funeral home. Duane Vancil will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.Memorials are suggested to the family in care of Lee Ann Herndon and will be accepted at the funeral home.Online guestbook available at www.pitchfordfuneralhome.com.