Marilyn Ward

July 17, 1933 — April 12, 2025

Marilyn M. Ward, 91, of Decatur, formerly of Oreana, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2025.

Visitation will be 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Central Christian Church, 650 W William St, Decatur, IL. Funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, at the church. Burial will follow in North Fork Cemetery, Decatur. Memorials in Marilyn’s honor may be made to Central Christian Church Music Department.

Marilyn was born July 17, 1933 in Shelbyville, the daughter of C. Ray and Velma (Jones) Petty. She married Neely O. Ward on December 22, 1957 and he preceded her in death in 1998. Marilyn taught for 27 years in Decatur Public Schools, including 16 years at Roach School. After her retirement, she volunteered at Decatur Memorial Hospital, playing piano in the lobby of the Heart and Lung Center. Marilyn was an active member of Central Christian Church, where she sang in the Chancel Choir and played in the Chancel Bells handbell ensemble. She was an accomplished pianist offering her talents to the church regularly.

Surviving are her daughter, Julie (Donald) Adler of Lynnwood, WA; sons: David (Dana) Ward of Farmington and Paul (Allison) Ward of Columbia, SC; grandchildren: Joshua Adler, Damien (Tina) Ward, Marissa (Tate) Ulm, Dr. Melody (Noah Mayberry) Ward, Lucas (Anna) Ward and Amanda (Matt) Krabbe; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Neely; and daughter-in-law Lisa Ward.

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