STEVEN E. WARD

 Steve has gone to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, following a long period of illness and decline. He passed Saturday, September 20, 2025.
 He was born on August 19, 1948, to the late Eugene E. and Esta Mae (Hamm) Ward. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Betty F. (Mullins) and Norman K. Bates and their daughter Linda Bates Basel; half-brother Richard Mullins and his daughter Lisa Etgen-Litteral; half-sister Barbara Allison and her son Bobby and daughter Freida.
 On October 24, 1969, he married Jeri Cline, and they lived almost all their life in Marion. They would have celebrated 56 years of marriage this October. In July 2018, they moved to Centralia, MO, to be closer to their only child and her family, who live in Columbia, MO. While living in OH, he worked for Great Lakes Carbon Corp., the State of Ohio, and Liebert/Emerson Corp., retiring from there in 2011. He and Jeri promptly took a four-week vacation to Bellingham, WA, visiting friends and seeing 15 additional states.
 Besides loving his Lord, he had a passion for hunting, fishing and camping; he loved to be outdoors. He liked to tinker on old fishing boats and finally purchased one. He dabbled in arts and crafts, such as needle point, coloring, wood crafts, and he was up for any road trip. He and Jeri took many car vacations, a land cruise tour of the upper East coast, and they flew for the first time on a trip to Hawaii.
 His faith was important to him; he was a former member of Trinity Baptist Church and Fair Park Baptist Church in Marion, OH, and Karl Road Baptist Church in Columbus, OH. When he and Jeri moved to Centralia, MO, The First Baptist Church became their church home. He enjoyed all the friendships he made at these churches.
 He is survived by Jeri, daughter and son-in-law Stephanie Ward-Hickey and Daniel P. Hickey of Columbia, MO, and his grandchildren: Laura Grace and her husband, Steven Daugherty of Independence, MO, Erin Rose Hickey and Benjamin Patrick Hickey, both of Columbia, MO. He is also survived by nieces, Cindy Rice and her family, Carol Utley and her family, Lisa Wilson and her family, and nephew Mike Bates, and his family, all of Ohio.
 Thanks to his friends at FBC during his illness for their help and support. Special thank you to Compassus Hospice Care, especially Gail, Tricia, Maria, Sarah and Andrew. The doctors at Boone Hospital are too numerous to note, but their care was outstanding.
 Cremation has taken place. A private family memorial will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.fentonkendrickfh.com