Josephine Ward

Josephine Ward, 93, of Rushville, formerly of Frederick, passed away at 6:00 PM, Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at Liberty Village in Pittsfield.

She was born on February 18, 1924, at the family home in Bainbridge Township, the daughter of William Thomas and Ida (Persinger) Haber.  She married Russell Gayle Ward on March 11, 1947, in Virginia, Illinois.  He preceded her in death on July 25, 2008.

She attended Hazel Dell School and graduated from Rushville High School in 1942.  She worked as a clerk at J.C. Penney in Rushville for 3 years.  She then worked part time in the Schuyler County Treasurer’s Office for 24 years.  She attended the Frederick Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She loved working and helping her husband on the farm.  She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, and sewing.  She loved nature. She made quilts for all of her eight grandchildren.  Her pride and joy was her children and grandchildren, taking them on walks in the woods and wading in the creek.

Surviving are three children Marlys Knox and husband Bob of Springfield, Judy Ebbert and husband Bill of Pittsfield and Dean Ward and wife Sandy of Frederick, eight grandchildren Jennifer Keegan and husband Steven, Jason Vala and wife Courtney, Alissa Fuhrmann and husband Ben, Rachel Worden and husband Joel, Ryan Ebbert and husband Andriv, Robyn Engstrom and husband Aaron, Emily Fox and husband Mark, and Andy Ward and wife Megan, ten great grandchildren Zackary and Lucas Keegan, Christopher and Camden Vala, Avery Fuhrmann, Reagan and Rush Worden and Nolan, Connor and Ella Engstrom, one sister Zehrea Phillips of Rushville, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Allen Haber and an infant sister Mary Dorothy Haber.

Services will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 4, 2017, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with Brother Matt Haberman officiating.  Interment will follow in the Messerer Cemetery, near Frederick.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Memorials are suggested to Frederick Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).