Jeanne Kathryn Ward

Jeanne Kathryn (Muller) Ward, 87, went home to Jesus on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at Westminster Village in West Lafayette.

Jeanne was born in Irvington, N.J., on Sept. 10, 1928, to Laura and Louis R. Muller.

Shortly after graduating from Purdue University, she worked as a home extension agent in Carroll County.

On Dec. 2, 1951, she married Richard H. Ward, and together they farmed in Montgomery County for more than 50 years.

Jeanne was active in the community, providing leadership to the Girl Scouts, Farm Bureau and Purdue's School of Family and Consumer Sciences.

She served as chair for the pastor/parish committee at Linden United Methodist Church and also led the 4-M's ministry there for many years.

She also served as board chair for Ivy Tech Lafayette.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Richard Ward, and her dear grandson, Reid Hudson. She leaves loving memories to be cherished by her daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Bill Reece from Franklin, Tenn., her son and daughter-in-law Rick and Jan Ward from Crawfordsville; her grandchildren, Todd (Dawn) Reece, Tricia (Jim) Calkins, Erin (Jared) Kritenbrink; and her great-grandchildren Tyler Reece, Ashley Reece, Fred (Meagan) Learey, Brecken Kritenbrink and Daxton Kritenbrink.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 20 from 10:-11:30 a.m. A celebration of life will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Linden United Methodist Church, 609 S. Main St., Linden.

Burial will follow at the Linden Cemetery immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to 4M's at the Linden United Methodist Church. The 4M's enjoys meeting monthly and making hand-sewn items of comfort and joy, for those hospitalized, in area hospitals.