Clara E. Ward

Clara Elizabeth Ward, 100, of Bridgman, Michigan, formerly of Eau Claire, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2005 at Country Manor Nursing Facility in Bridgman. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., on Wednesday, July 27, at the Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, Michigan. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to either Hospice at Home or to the Berrien County Cancer Society. Friends may send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Clara was born on March 25, 1905 in Eau Claire. She was one of 11 children born to Frank & Mathilda (Johnson) Johnson. On November 12, 1924, she married Jesse Ward in Benton Harbor. To this union was born 7 children whom she took great care in raising. Clara was known for her piano playing, gardening, and crocheting. She also enjoyed raising chickens. And ?everybody came to her for her donuts and her pies.? Clara is survived by her children, Duane (Mary Lou) Ward, of Eau Claire, William (Mary Lou) Ward from Arkansas, Kenneth (Judy) Ward of Baroda, Gary (Carol) Ward of Watervliet, & Winnie (Bill) Watts of St. Joseph; her daughter-in law, Anne Ward of Eau Claire; and numerous grand-children and great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse; her son Robert Ward; her daughter, Doris Renfroe; 10 brothers and sisters; and her granddaughter, Julie Elizabeth Watts.