Sara Ward

Sara E. Ward, 90, of Rushville, passed away at 5:30 AM, Friday, July 14, 2017, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.

She was born on February 12, 1927, in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, Illinois, the daughter of Hartzel and Electa (Bonser) Simpson.  She married Stanley Ward on October 27, 1945, in Rushville and he preceded her in death on February 19, 2004.

Surviving are three children Linda Strong and husband Dennis of Rushville, Kenny Ward and wife Diane of Camden and Vicki Ruth and husband Darrell of Mt. Carmel, five grandchildren Amy Ralston and husband John, Emily Hamm and husband Petie, Tracy Stambaugh and husband Kraig, Darrick Ruth and wife Cathy and Ryan Ruth and wife Brigitte, 15 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, a brother-in-law Robert Anderson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a sister-in-law Betty Ward of Pleasant View and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by a daughter Paula Ward, a brother James Simpson and a sister Mary Ann Anderson.

Sara was a 1944 graduate of Rushville High School.  Prior to her marriage, she worked at Alexander Lumber in Rushville.  She was a homemaker and assisted her husband on the family farm, where she raised chickens, cattle, hogs and a huge garden.  After her children were grown, she worked part-time for the Schuyler County Treasurer’s Office.

She was a member of the Camden United Methodist Women and the Rushville Professional Women.  She volunteered at the HELP Center in Rushville.  She and Stanley traveled all over the United States with their camper and wintered in Texas.  She was a great seamstress, who made her daughters’ clothes for many years along with many quilts.  She loved to play cards.  Sara was a terrific cook and infamous for her noodles and date pudding.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, during holidays and at all of their events.

Services will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with Reverend Charles Peart, III officiating.  Interment will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, July 17, 2017, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Memorials are suggested to the Camden United Methodist Church, Hope Blooms or Culbertson Memorial Hospital Foundation.  You are invited to share your memories of Sara, leave condolences and view her memorial video at www.woodfuneralhome.online