Anita L. Ward

Anita L. Ward, age 66, of Chillicothe, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at her home.

Anita was born on February 5, 1957 in Peoria, IL to Bernard Raymond and Ruth Louise (Heitzman) Vonk.

Surviving are her son, Jay (Kasha Wade) Ward of Chillicothe; her siblings, Neil Vonk of Chillicothe, her twin sister, Nancy Kaelin of Chillicothe, Christina (Tebben) Grafelman of Hanna City and Lisa (Jeff) Bessler of Sparland; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Ernie and Alan Vonk, Gerry Tyler and Bonnie Vonk.

Anita started as a waitress for A&W Root Beer and Track Inn in Chillicothe, she was a lunch lady and bus monitor for Chillicothe Elementary Center and then owned and operated River City Bar and Grill for many years.  Anita was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church, life member and Past-President of the American Legion Post Auxiliary #9 and life member of the VFW Post #4999 in Chillicothe. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and feeding her hummingbirds.  She did volunteer work and was an excellent photographer and fantastic cook.  Anita was an avid Cubs fan and loved going to games.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 11am at St. Edward Catholic Church in Chillicothe.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2023 from 4pm to 7pm at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe with recitation of the Rosary at 7pm.  Per Anita’s request, please wear your cubby blues for the visitation.  There will also be a one hour visitation prior to Mass at church on Monday.  Burial will be at St. Joseph Mooney Cemetery in Rome.  Memorials may be made to the church or to the Veteran’s Memorial.