Richard Ward

Richard Alan Ward, 72, of Decatur, IL, went to be with his Lord at 3:35 p.m., Monday, December 1, 2014, in Decatur Memorial Hospital. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 6, in Central Christian Church, Decatur, with the Rev. Don Martin and Rev. Michael Karunas officiating. A time for visiting with family members will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, IL. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Central Christian Church or Dove, Inc. Richard was born November 21, 1942, the son of Robert E. and Helen (Welge) Ward, and was a life-long resident of Decatur. He still lived in the home his family moved to in 1952. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1960 and Millikin University in 1964 and then served 4 years in the Air Force. He retired as a computer systems analyst with AIG, the successor company of Franklin Life Insurance in 2002. Richard was a 3rd generation member of Central Christian Church, where he served as deacon for many years, past sponsor of junior deacons, a van driver for youth and seniors in the church family, and a new member of the visitation team. He had an avid interest in trains, photography, and travel and had recently returned from an 8-day visit with cousins in California, which included a 2-day stay at Disneyland and a tour of the famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon. He contributed all but one of the photos of trains in the book "Trackside in the Land of Lincoln" by James Lewnard. He leaves to cherish his memory, his sister Janet Huth of Decatur, nieces Tara Robinson of Youngtown, AZ, Laurie (Greg) Davies of Mesa, AZ and Wendy Huth of Decatur, great nephews Justin Fredrickson and Morgan Davies of Mesa, AZ, great niece Alyssa Robinson of Buckeye, AZ, and numerous good friends and cousins, including Don and Merry Coffman of Mission Hills, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and baby sister Mary Helen. Throughout his whole life, Richard was a faithful servant and follower of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and a generous man with a warm and friendly smile who was truly devoted to his family and friends. He loved deeply and he was deeply loved, and now he is at peace in the arms of the One who loves him more. The family wishes to express their deepest thanks to the doctors and nurses who provided such wonderful care for Richard in the ER and the Cardio-Vascular unit at DMH. "
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