John Ward
Jerseyville | Save
John Arthur Ward, 60, died at 9:45 a.m., Thursday, December 16, 2010 at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., surrounded by his family.
He was born in Alton on July 8, 1950, the second of eight children born to Donald Lee & Mary Catherine (Tepen) Ward. Growing up in the Jerseyville community, John graduated in 1968 from Jersey Community High School, and entered the U.S. Army in 1970.
After his discharge he returned home, and had worked at Krogers in Jerseyville for 15 years before its closing. He then became employed with Olin Corp., where he was currently employed as a roller. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushrooming, his weekly get togethers with his buddies watching wrestling, but most importantly, he enjoyed his time with his family and especially the grandkids.
He married the former Anita L. Allen on Aug. 21, 1971 at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, and she survives. Also surviving are his mother, Mary "Kate' Ward of Jerseyville; three children and their spouses, Ryan & Wendy Ward of Jerseyville,Mindy & Josh Tonsor of Jerseyville, and Anthony Ward of Jerseyville; six grandchildren, Trent & Caroline Ward, Ava Tonsor all of Jerseyville, Jace Ward of St. Charles, Mo., Rylie Ward of Kimberling City, Mo., and Javin Ward of Carrollton; three brothers & sisters in law, William & Cathie Ward, Rick & Vonda Ward, and Roger Ward all of Jerseyville; four sisters & brothers in law, Martha Ward, and her companion, Michael Snyder of Jerseyville, Sharon & Kenny Thomas of Fieldon, Donna & Denny Fry and Robin & Mike Groppel all of Jerseyville; his mother in law, Mazie Allen of Jerseyville.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Ward on April 16, 2000, and his father in law, Lester Allen.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where a rosary will be recited at 1:45 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father William Hembrow officiating.
Burial will be in the Kane Cemetery with the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites.
In lieu of flowers & plants, Johns family would appreciate memorials to be made to the family in care of the funeral home.
Crawford Funeral Home
