Earl Ward

Earl Edward Ward

Age 64 of Pembroke Township, passed away unexpectedly Saturday September 3, 2011.

Born October 9, 1946 in Eudora, Arkansas, Earl was a son of Johnny Bush and Gladys Louden. On September 5, 1974, Earl married Donna F. Cornett and she survives. He was a Veteran of the United States Army and served from March 13, 1968 until being honorably discharged on March 4, 1970. Earl worked for Lloyde J. Harris for 12 years until acquiring a position with National Baking Company, where he worked for 23 years until his retirement in 1999. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, music, poetry and Farmville. Earl can also be remembered as a proud American, who was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Earl is the husband of Donna; father of: Hardin III, Marsha, Vincent and Jason; grandfather of: Hardin IV, Danielle, Lawrence, Donovan, Samantha, Malcolm and Lincoln; brother of: Lucille Britton, Sammie Johnson, Betty, Johnny, Carol Bailey, Willie Jo Johnson and Gwen Harris; brother-in-law of: Belinda Woods, William Most, Janice Boucher, Cindy Sykes, Sharon Griffon, Timmy Hodge, Mark Hodge, Theresa White and Ricky Hodge and uncle and cousin to numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by special friends: Hervie White, James "Bootsy", Linsy and Jamie.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents: Gladys Louden and Johnny Bush; brother Sammie Johnson and sisters: Shirley Bush and Bridgette Johnson.

The family will receive friends on Thursday September 8, 2011 from 10:00AM until time of service 11:00AM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)

Burial with full military honors will follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood at 12:30PM. Mark, Ricky, Brian, Marsha, Donovan and Lawrence will act as pallbearers and William and Jackie will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Friends may sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington.