Eula "Peggy" Ward

Eula “Peggy” Ward, 104, died June 28, 2017 at Alpine Fireside Health Center.  Peggy was born May 7, 1913, in southern Illinois to Rev. C. E. and Elizabeth Thompson.  The early years of her well-spent life were in Iowa and Nebraska.  After high school she enrolled at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois.  The “Great Depression” of the 30’s cut short her education.  She always regretted not completing college.  She was a “lifelong learner.” After returning home Peggy met Raymond Ward and married him in 1932. They were married 48 years and lived in Clinton, Iowa. Her favorite thing to do was travel and church was always a large part of her life.  She loved to knit, crochet, paint pictures, play piano/organ and read.  If she could, she would swim every day.  In fact she was a swim coach at the YMCA for children with disabilities.  Her trips overseas to England and Israel had a profound effect on her life. Peggy claimed that her greatest accomplishment was raising her family.  She said she grew so much after parenting a Down’s Syndrome child.  As an avid reader and teacher of the Bible, Peggy said that her most personally meaningful verse was Psalms 138:8, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me….”  In 2001, Peggy moved to Rockford, Illinois to be close to her daughter.  She was beginning to sense some medical problems.

Survived by her children, Marilyn McLamarrah, David (Joan) Ward, Paul (Cher) Ward, and John (Linda) Ward; grandchildren, Deborah, Mark, Scott, Judy, Douglas, James, Andrew, Benjamin, Christopher and Stephanie; six great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and sister, Jean Winter. Predeceased by her parents; husband; brother, Chester (Ida) Thompson; sister, Ruth Locknane; daughter, Jeanne Ward; grandson, Taylor Ward; and son-in-law, Gary McLamarrah.

Special thanks to Alpine Fireside Health Center and OSF Hospice; your concern and care was exceptional. 

Memorial service will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Open Door Church, 816 13th Ave N., Clinton, Iowa at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. James Machen officiating.  Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery.

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