Lois Michaels Ward-Kohler

Lois Michaels Ward-Kohler, 97, entered the presence of her Savior on October 22, 2025. She was born on April 15, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to Edward F. Heise and Verona A. Heise (Beduhn).

The family moved to Lombard where Lois graduated from Glenbard High School in 1946. She married George Michaels in 1950, and they raised three children in a home they built in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

While her children were young, Lois attended college, earning a Bachelor of Arts from Maryknoll College in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She then went on to graduate from the University of Illinois Jane Addams College of Social Work, earning a Master of Social Work degree. She was licensed/certified for school social work in both Illinois and New Jersey. Years later, Lois did medical social work in Lee County, Florida.

George and Lois moved to New Jersey in 1976, and then moved to Sanibel, Florida, in 1979. Lois decided to work “on the island” and applied to be a rural mail carrier. She retired from the USPS. She loved the people on her route. George passed away in 1985.

Lois married Kenneth C. Ward in 1990. They enjoyed 10 years together, doing crafts and craft shows, traveling in their RV, going on cruises, and entertaining family on Sanibel. Ken passed away in 2000.

In 2002, Lois married William C. Kohler, her high school sweetheart. Bill and Lois had a good life together also, traveling the country by RV, trips to Europe, and cruising. Bill passed away in 2013.

Lois had many extraordinary gifts. Her home was always open for both family and friends to gather. Her listening ear and sage advice made her a confidante to many. She loved having her children and Ken and Bill’s children around for holidays and visits. She did shell crafts, sewed, painted, enjoyed audiobooks, and church-related activities.

Lois was a woman of deep faith that she put into practice throughout her life. She was a Sunday School teacher and a leader for teen youth groups and Pioneer Girls. She served as a prayer counselor for the Billy Graham crusades in Chicago in 1962 and 1971. If you knew her, you knew her love for her God was deep and authentic.

Lois is survived by her daughter Becky Montesino-King (Ed), her son Kenneth Michaels (Cheryl), and a stepdaughter, Diane Schneder (Jerry); Ken Ward’s four sons survive her: Ken (Kim), Dan (Nan), Steve (Pat), and Jim (Barb), and Bill Kohler’s children also survive her: Christine (Steve), Colleen, and Larry. She is survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Eileen McGrath Heise, and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband George W. Michaels, her second husband, Kenneth C. Ward and her third husband, William C. Kohler and her son, Michael (2007), and her three brothers.

A Celebration of Life for Lois is planned for January 3, 2026, at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park in Ft. Myers, FL, at 1:00pm. A dinner will follow. A special thank you to Shell Point Retirement Community and Hope Hospice.

The service will be live streamed at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 3rd. Use the following link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/kdW5ZyaFZzs