Barbara Lou Ward Obituary

Barbara Lou Ward, 83, of St. Joseph, Michigan passed away on September 4th, 2024 in Stevensville, Michigan.

A joint memorial service for her and her son, Brian, who passed on August 25, 2024, will be held on Thursday, September 12th at 12:00pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, Michigan, with visitation starting prior to that at 11:00am. Flowers can be sent to the funeral home.

Barb was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Henry and Lucille (Heyn) Wilczynski on July 19, 1941. She went to school in St. Joseph, Michigan until she graduated high school in 1959. She married Clifford Ward on February 10, 1962. After high school she took some college classes and worked in a shoe store before starting to raise a family. Once the youngest of her five children was old enough, she started working as a lunchroom supervisor at Lincoln Elementary School and later, added before and after school crossing guard duties. She continued to work both jobs until her retirement. She loved bowling with her entire family and also helped her husband with coaching their son’s softball teams by keeping score for all their games. She also loved her Detroit Tigers, and if she couldn’t watch the game on TV, she would have a radio playing the game and her Tigers hat on her head (and probably wearing a Tigers shirt).

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Lucille Wilczynski; her sister, Pamela Lazzara and her son, Brian Ward.

Barb is survived by her husband of 62 years, Clifford; her sons, Kenneth Ward, Charles (JoAnna) Ward, and Jeffery (Jana) Ward; her daughter, Cheryl (Mark) Skorupa; 8 grandchildren, Drew, Chelsea, Dustin, Samantha, Vincent, Kevin, Steven, Zakkary, several great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Barbara Ward wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Hanson Hospice Center. Memorials can be made to Hanson Hospice Center. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com.