Melvin "Bud" Ward

HULL, Ill. -- Mr. Melvin "Bud" Ward, 90, of Hull, died Tuesday (Oct. 19, 2010), in the Barry Community Care Center, Barry.

He was born Nov. 5, 1919, in New Canton, Ill., to Giles E. and Gertrude Haskins Ward. He married Anne Marie Hessing on June 29, 1944, in St. Francis Chapel in Quincy.

Melvin was a retired farmer and bulldozer operator in Pike County who raised Jersey cattle and Duroc hogs. He enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren to fairs. He was proud of his family and enjoyed visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A favorite pastime was people-watching and conversing with friends, as well as with strangers. In retirement years, he and Anne spent their winters in Texas.

Melvin's hobbies included reading and showing cattle and hogs. He was a former member of the Jersey Cattle Club and West Pike School Board. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Hull Methodist Church and Country Couples.

He is survived by Anne, his wife of 66 years; eight children, Tamara (Larry) Fischer, of Quincy, Jill (Alan) Purvis, of Guttenberg, Iowa, Debbie Rueb, of Hull, Mel (Sue) Ward, of Kentland, Ind., Wendy Glasgow, of Hull, Kathy (Carl) Edwards, of Hannibal, Marty (Diane) Ward of Manchester, Iowa and Heidi Mark, of Hannibal; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Eloise Bourque, of Manhattan, Kan., Bette (Les) Howick, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Awana Stauffer, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lynette Parks, of Manhattan, Kan.

SERVICES: 2 p.m. Sunday in Hull Methodist Church, Hull, Ill. Burial will be in Akers Chapel Cemetery, Hull.

VISITATION: 4-8 p.m. Saturday in the Kirgan Funeral Home, Barry, Ill.

MEMORIALS: Barry Community Care Center Activity Fund or Hull Methodist Church. 

ARRANGEMENTS: Kirgan Funeral Home, Barry, Ill.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.