Russell V. Ward

Russell V. Ward, 91, of Geneseo, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2016, at his home.  A Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 18th, at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Geneseo.  Father Michael Pakula will celebrate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo.  Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory, Geneseo. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.  Memorials may be made to the Russell Ward Memorial Fund.

Russ was born on June 6, 1925, on a farm west of Atkinson, IL.  He was the son of Harold and Sue (Pratt) Ward.  He attended Atkinson, Cambridge, and Geneseo grade schools and graduated from Geneseo High School in 1943.  In January 1943, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Werthmann, at a dance in Davenport, IA.  They were married on January 11, 1948, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Davenport.  He was a member of St. Malachy Catholic Church, where he served as Eucharistic Minister for many years.

Russ and Dorothy Ward farmed west of Geneseo, IL for 46 years until his retirement in 1996.  After his retirement, Russ drove semi-trucks for his son, Bob, of Ward Custom Application, until he was 81.  Russ served as a trustee on Geneseo Fire Protection District for 40 years.  He served on the boards of the Henry County Livestock Feeder’s Association, the Henry County Soil and Water District, and was a member of the Henry County Pork Producers.

He played fast pitch softball in the late 1940s.  He enjoyed dancing and riding horses.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.  Russ enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s activities and being with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Sandi (Mark) Yontz of Bloomington, IL; sons, Larry (Chris) Ward of Geneseo, IL, and Bob (Lori) Ward of Geneseo, IL; 13 grandchildren and soon to be 19 great grandchildren: Mandi Yontz of Normal, IL, Megan (Jason) Harden, Breven, and Brayden of Carlock, IL, Chelsea (Jamie) Duke, Grace, Caroline, and Calvin of Henry, IL, Kyle (Stephanie) Yontz, Victoria, and Dylan of Bloomington, IL, Cory (Cassie) Yontz of Normal, IL, Annie (Chad) Hawker, Lillie, Isabel, Emmy and Jack of Mt. Vernon, IA, Kate (Derek) Pohlmann of Lincoln, NE, Mackalah (Brent) Green of Bolivar, MO, Michael (Sarah) Ward of St. Louis, MO, Jillian (Travis) Andrew, Elli, Connor, and Deliah of White Heath, IL, Jessi (Brian) Haars, Everett, and Adelia of Geneseo, IL, Jake (Ashley) Ward, Braxton, and Hattie of Bettendorf, IA, and Josh Ward of Geneseo, IL; special nephew, Bill (Angie) Durand of Kansas City, MO; and a sister, Dorothy Reed, of Geneseo, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Sue Ward, and an infant son, Eddie.

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