Eileen Ward
Eileen Ward
Eileen Ward
October 25, 1934 – March 7, 2022
Oskaloosa (New Sharon), Iowa | Age 87
Eileen Claire Ward passed away peacefully on March 7, 2022 at the age of 87. She was born the daughter of Merwyn Loftus Fox and Elizabeth (Betty) Berto Fox of rural New Sharon, Iowa, on October 25, 1934.
Born and raised on the family farm southwest of New Sharon, Eileen attended Lacey Consolidated School for eleven years and New Sharon High School for one year. During her senior year, she was a forward on the 1953 New Sharon girls’ (6-player) basketball team that went to the state tournament and played in the championship game. She treasured the memories of her teammates and coach, and their many games and accomplishments.
Following high school, Eileen attended A.I.B. in Des Moines.
Eileen was united in marriage to Kenneth Ward on October 16, 1955, at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. To that union, four daughters were born: Penny, Linda, Sandra, and Jolene. Ken and Eileen lived briefly in Oskaloosa, Des Moines, and Keokuk, then moved to New Sharon in 1962, where they raised their family and lived until 2019 when health concerns necessitated a move to Homestead Assisted Living in Oskaloosa.
With her strong organizational, planning, and writing skills, Eileen had a very successful administrative career. Before starting their family, Eileen worked at the Iowa Department of Social Welfare in Oskaloosa and the Psychology Department of the State Welfare Office in Des Moines. As her children were growing, she provided in-home childcare and office work. In 1977, she began working at William Penn College, first as Public Relations/Faculty Secretary, and then as Administrative Assistant to the Vice President/Academic Dean – a position she excelled at for 23 years. In her retirement, she worked part time for several years as ministry assistant at Fellowship Bible Church, where she was also a faithful member.
Eileen was an excellent cook, baker, candy maker, seamstress, gardener, and homemaker. One of her favorite hobbies was crocheting. Over the years, she crocheted dozens of afghans which were treasured by family and friends who received them as wedding, baby shower, and graduation gifts. She and Ken spent hours shopping for just the right yarn for her many projects. She enjoyed learning about the world through collecting stamps, hosting over 20 foreign exchange students, and domestic and international travel. She also found great joy in playing the piano, sharing her talent with visitors, residents, and staff at Homestead even in her final days.
Eileen is survived and lovingly remembered by her children: Penny Ward (& Tom Maule) of What Cheer, Linda Barnes of Cedar Rapids, Sandy (& Bobby) Collins of Baldwin City, KS, and Jolene (& Sam) LeeMasters of Lamar, MO; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Barb Fox of Oskaloosa; and brother-in-law, Richard Holloway of Phoenix, AZ.
Eileen was preceded in death by Kenneth, her devoted husband of 66 years; her parents, Merwyn and Betty; her brother and sister-in-law, Merwyn (& Joyce) Fox, Jr.; her brother, Lyal Fox; and her sister, Patricia Holloway.
Eileen’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at Homestead for the excellent care she received while there.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Rodney DeRonde officiating.
Burial will be in the Friends Cemetery at New Sharon prior to the funeral ceremony.
Those wishing to attend the graveside service should meet a the Friends Cemetery by 9:30 on Thursday. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Wednesday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 4-6 Wednesday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be directed to either the Alzheimer’s Association or the Fellowship Bible Church.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Eileen Ward please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
