Thomas Ward

Thomas William Ward, 78, of Peoria Illinois, passed away after a courageous 22-year battle withcancer on February 6, 2025. 
Tom was born January 30, 1947, in Rochester, Minnesota to MaxW. and Marie Stevens Ward. Growing up on a farm outside Chatfield, Minnesota, Tom showedHereford cattle through his participation in the Elmira Xcel 4H Club for many years.Tom graduated with his BA from Winona State University and his MSW from the Jane AddamsSchool of Social Work at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign campus. Tom began hiscareer with Catholic Charities at the Lamberton Children’s Home in Winona Minnesota. In1978, he began working for Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as the fieldservice manager, Peoria Regional Administrator, a manager in Quality Assurance. After retiringfrom DCFS in 2002, Tom worked with Quality Consulting Group LLC in many states throughoutthe US, assuring improved systems and processes were in place for child welfare. Tom alsowas an Adjunct Instructor for the Jane Addams School of Social Work at UIUC. He and hiswife, Mary, were volunteers for CASA in the 10 th Judicial Circuit of Illinois.
Tom loved to travel with Mary and his family, as well as his loyal labradors Roscoe and Maggie.He was an enthusiastic fan of the Illini (I-L-L!), and loved watching the Chicago Cubs, especiallySpring Training in Mesa, Arizona. His greatest joy was raising his family of 5 children andembraced the chaos that ensued over the years. He was most proud of his 10 grandchildrenand cherished spending time with and watching them grow and thrive.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary; children: Jennifer (Mark) Nolan, Andrew (Jessica)Ward, Timothy (Laura) Ward; Kathleen Ward; & Elizabeth (Kristopher) Jones; belovedgrandchildren: Zachery, Carson, Natalie, James, Lilliana, Lucius, Felix, Liam, Malachi & Isla;very special nieces: Maureen Chromy Nichols & Caroline Chromy Gort; and numerous cousins.Tom was predeceased by his parents Max & Marie and his sister Patricia Ward Chromy.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chatfield with Father Edward McGrath officiating.
Visitation will be held at the Hoff Funeral Home on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. and again at the church on Monday from 10-11 a.m.
In Lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation in Tom’s memory to the following:
The Dream Center Peoria https://donate.dreamcenter.orgOSF Hospice: Checks made out to OSF Hospice (List Tom Ward in Memo Section)
Mail to: OSF Hospice2265 W Altorfer Dr.Peoria IL 61615
Illinois Cancer Center Foundation https://illinoiscancercarefoundation.org/donate/