Russel Cleo Ward, 81, of 900 Taylor Ave., died at 2:40 p.m., Thursday at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Mr. Ward was born in Jefferson County IL., on Sept. 23, 1896, the son of John A. and Minnie Myrtle (Estes) Ward.

He was married to Virginia (Jennie) Kathleen Dale in Dixon, IL., on May 29,1920. She survives.

Mr. Ward served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War 1. He was a member of the Amercan Legion Post 141. He also was a member of the First Baptist Church and of the Masons. Mr. Ward was the owner of Ward Insurance Co. for many years.

Funeral Services will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Myers-Burial Chapel, with the Rev. Larry Bailey officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral chapel after 6 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to his wife,(Jennie), Mr. Ward is survived by two sons, Robert D. Ward, Mt. Vernon, and John "Jack" R. Ward, Mt. Vernon: two half brothers, Lester Walker,Mt. Vernon, and Homer Walker, California; five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a half-brother, Arthur Walker, and his step father, Wesley Walker.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: About March 3, 1978
Submitted by Steven Kent Ward
Relationship: Grandson