Thelma Ann Ward, 76, of Festus died Feb. 8, 2016, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Ward was a homemaker, a member of the VFW Post 3777 Ladies Auxiliary and the United Pentecostal Church in Festus, and enjoyed cooking and sewing. Born July 31, 1939, in Hemphill, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Emma (Huff) and I.V. Whitmire.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years: James L. Ward; three sons: Maurice Mann of Scott City, Greg (Vickie Holder) Ward of Hillsboro and Terry Wilder of Kokomo, Ind.; two daughters: Jamie (Keith) Shook of Kokomo, Ind. and Lisa (Rico Rivera) Morgan of Ocala, Fla.; a brother: Charles Whitmire of Hemphill, Texas; two sisters: Bobbie Jean of Salt Lake City and Jean of California; 18 grandchildren: Christopher, Trista, Austin and Joshua Ward, Brett and Justin Holder, Crystal Morgan, Ashley Melton, J. D. Ward, Dale and Eric Largent, Terry and John Morgan, Devin Rivera, Tara and Amanda Wilder, Evan Shook and Brandie Glass; and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son: James D. Ward; two brothers: Jimmy and Johnny Whitmire; and two sisters: Gloria Langenbacker and Cathy.
Funeral services were held Feb. 11 at Mahn Twin City Chapel, officiated by Pastor Chris Mangus. Burial was in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospital Jefferson Hospice. Arrangements were under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home.