Ward, William 'Bill'

William “Bill” Ward, 98, of Marengo, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo following an extended illness. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, Marengo, with the Rev. Katie Dawson officiating. Burial will be in Ladora Cemetery, Ladora. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo.

Memorials may be contributed to First United Methodist Church, Marengo, and Essence of Life Hospice.

Bill is survived by his sons and daughters, Melvin Ward and wife Jeanette of Blairstown, Dean Ward and wife Naomi of Ladora, Dick Ward and wife Patsy of Marengo, Orrin Ward and wife Marilyn of Tipton, Esther Wilkinson of Chelsea and Mary Ann Bulten of Bettendorf. He is also survived by his half siblings, Wayne Kahler and wife Dorothy of Cedar Rapids, Naomi Goodman of Johnston, Mabel Fishbach and husband Dick of Colorado and Wendell Kahler and wife Carol of Jacksonville, Texas; and brother-in-law, Vernon Coon of Mesa, Ariz. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his stepgrandparents; his parents; his wife, Mabel in 2002; an infant daughter; three sisters, Juanita Ward, Doris Trimble and Peggy Coon; and two brothers, Everette and Lewis Ward.

William Adolphus “Bill” Ward was born June 6, 1911, in Neosho Falls, Kan., the son of Ray Andrew Ward and Irma C. Stovall Carey. He received his education in the Montana and Iowa County schools. Bill married Mabel M. Kahler on Sept. 14, 1932, at the Methodist parsonage in Ladora. He was a farmer and sold Funk's seed corn and Nachurs fertilizer.

Bill was one of the founders and leaders of 4-H in Iowa County. He also taught Sunday school for many years in the Methodist Church. He enjoyed discussing religion and politics.

He dearly loved his wife and family.

Online condolences may be extended to the family via the Web site