Charles Edward Ward, age 91, son of Charles Marion and Effie (Mendenhall) Ward, was born May 4, 1933, at Cabool, Missouri. He attended school at Yukon Grade School. He lived briefly in the St. Louis area where he was baptized at an early age, then lived in Summersville for a few years, and finally moved to Houston where he spent the remainder of his life. He passed away Nov. 15, 2024, in Rolla, Missouri.
Charles married Nancy Parks in 1952. They had two children: Charles Lee and Betty Jean. In 1960, he married Anna Belle Sillyman, and they celebrated 64 years together. He was well known to many people because of his years of driving a milk route for Kraft Foods, being a driver of a gas truck and manager for Empire Gas Co. and working for Intercounty Electric. He also worked at Brown and International Shoe Company. He retired from Intercounty Electric in 1988.
Charles enjoyed motorcycles, classic cars and airplanes. He was a past president of EAA Chapter 1218. He was always busy building things, repairing cars and doing yard and garden work.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Effie; son, Charles Lee; daughter, Betty Jean; brother, Bobby Ray; and sister, Lynna.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Belle Ward; stepdaughter, Sandra Gail Marty; son-in-law, Tom Marty; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Ward; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Freeda.A visitation for Charles will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Evans Funeral Home in Houston. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Ken Lawson officiating. Interment will be at Emery Cemetery in Bucyrus. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emery Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Evans Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.evansfh.com.
