Gary Ward

Gary Allen Ward, 82, the son of Maurice and Merna (Boddye) Ward, was born on Sept. 20, 1938, in Fairbury. He died April 21, in Houston.

Gary attended District 24 school through the eighth grade, and Fairbury High School. He farmed with his father until he got a job on the Rock Island Railroad as an engineer. He married Joy Fredricksen and this union was blessed with three children. He and Joy moved to Edgar where he started his own insurance agency and sold real estate. They later divorced. He married Marjorie (Brelsford) Aksamit on Jan. 21, 1989, and moved to Superior where he continued to sell real estate and manage rental properties until Marjorie’s death Oct. 15, 2010. Gary retired and wintered in Mesa, Ariz, where he enjoyed golf and happy hour with friends.

Gary participated in many clubs and activities including the Fairbury Jaycees, Edgar and Superior Lions clubs, Edgar Community Club, Church of the Plains and the Nelson and Superior country clubs, He served on the city council of both Edgar and Superior.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his second wife Marjorie; a sister, Janice Ward; a brother, Leslie Ward; and infant son, Allen Laverne.

Survivors include his son, Michael Ward of Ord; a daughter, Mrs. Tom Mahlberg (Patti) of Houston; four grandchildren, Ashley and Chris Ward of Kansas, Tyler Mahlberg of Ohio and Gemini Mahlberg of Houston; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral will take held this summer.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.