Marie E Ward

Marie E (Leonard) Ward, 94, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 at Valparaiso, IN. She was born Feb. 10, 1929 in Ashland, KY and was the daughter of the late Dr. Nels and Rachel M Leonard. She married Kenneth L Ward Oct. 3, 1948 in Ashland, KY who preceded her in death.

Marie attended Ashland, KY Junior College and Louisville General Hospital School of Nursing. She was a former member of Beamer United Methodist Church; serving as the childrens/adult choir director and sunday school teacher, Kokomo Zion United Methodist Church and New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church. She served as President of the Purdue University Extension Homemakers and was a piano teacher for many years teaching Kokomo students.

Marie lived her life in service to God and family, always putting her needs last. Her faith was a constant in her life, maintaining a close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ that sustained her. She was the spiritual matriarch of the family. She was a loving and supporting mother with her children, grandchildren benefiting greatly from her musical instruction which encouraged and produced several excellent musicians. This precious gift was indeed a blessing and she will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Left to cherish Marie’s memory are two sons: David L (Patty) Ward, Lantana, TX, Jack E (Christine) Ward, Newton, MA; two daughters: Linda M Schonbachler, Valparaiso, and Rosanne F (Dave) Klinker, Ft. Wayne, 10 grandchildren: Amanda (Ward) Noday, John Ward, Justin Springer, Lindsey Springer, Mia Dempsey, Donielle Nolan, Rachel Harvey, Rosalee Harvey, Ryan Harvey and Evan Dyer; seven great-grandchildren: Kiley Jo Noday, Cash Noday, Emerson Springer, Gabriel Springer, Gavin Harvey, Jarren Schulte, Kaelyn Hurst and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Larry Ward; and brothers, Dr. Nels Leonard, Jr. and Richard Leonard.

A special thanks to Myrna Sison and staff at Gabriel Home for the Elderly, Valparaiso for the loving care they provided.

Friends are invited to visit with family from 11am-1pm Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Eller’s Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo. Funeral services begin at 1pm with Reverend Jeff Russell officiating and burial following at Sunset Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church, 1900 S Berkley Rd, Kokomo, IN 46902. You may read the Ward obituary at www.ellersmortuary.com where you can sign the guestbook, order flowers, or share a personal message to the family.