Lois G. Ward

Lois G. Ward, 102, of Peoria, died at home on Sunday, March 20, 2022. She was born on July 6, 1919, in Newtonville, IN, to Samuel and Edna (Ostrander) Miller. On December 13, 1942, she married Dr. Edward J Ward in Charleston, SC. He preceded her in death on February 10, 1983.
She is survived by four sons: Edward Jr (Marti), of Peoria, David (Sandy) of High Point, NC, Eric (Kathy) and Douglas (Barb), both of Peoria, and one daughter, Mary (Rick Smith), of Peoria. Other survivors include fifteen grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, along with their spouses and children. She was preceded in death by her husband, three brothers, Maurice, Alden, and Eldon Miller, and one sister, Helen Cushing.
Lois was raised in McDowell Township, near Pontiac, IL. She was a 1937 graduate of Pontiac High School and a 1940 graduate of St Francis School of Nursing in Peoria. She worked as one of the first lay head nurses at St Francis Hospital and then as an industrial nurse at Caterpillar during the war.
After the war, she and her husband returned to Peoria where they raised their five children. When her children were school-aged, she volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, room mother, and reading tutor. She also participated in the St. Mark stunt show for many years. She was active in the local and state Medical Auxiliary, serving as President of the Peoria chapter in 1953-54. In her later years she volunteered at Heartland Clinic and then became a monthly volunteer at the St. Francis Medical Center gift shop, retiring at the age of 89.
She was a member of St Mark Catholic Church, in Peoria, from 1946– 1987 and thereafter, at St. Vincent de Paul. Lois loved her family, her many girlfriends (whom she missed greatly in her later years), and Notre Dame football. Her family is very grateful for the excellent care given by Dr. Randy McCrea and his office staff, by OSF Hospice during her final weeks, and by her dedicated caregivers from Comfort Keepers, who enabled Lois to remain at home these past four-and-a- half years.
A private, family burial service will be held at Resurrection Mausoleum & Cemetery, Monsignor Gerald Ward officiating. Wright and Salmon Mortuary is handling arrangements.
A celebration of Lois' life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Midwest Food Bank or her church, St. Vincent de Paul.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.