Mabel Ward

Mabel Ellen Ward a longtime Pleasanton resident passed away January 3, 2008 at Mercy Health Center Fort Scott, Kansas following a short illness. She was born on April 10, 1921 the daughter of Roy and Ethel Bryan Main in rural LaCygne, Kansas. Mabel graduated from Prescott High School and Fort Scott Community College. She then taught school until marrying Howard E. Ward on November 10, 1940. They were married for forty-two years and raised four children. They moved to Garland, Texas for many years where they enjoyed watching their kids play ball, fishing, and especially their annual trips to Yellowstone National Park where they combined all their loves. The annual summer family trips to Yellowstone were a cherished memory. They returned to their beloved Linn County after retirement and enjoyed all their friends and family. Sadly, Howard died suddenly in 1983. Mabel then married Charles Elwyn "Bud" Ward, Howard's cousin, in June of 1984. She continued her love of the mountains with their summer long fishing trips to Colorado until Bud's death in October of 2001. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Larry Ward and Donald Ward. She is survived by two daughters, Crystal Buffington and Bill of Nevada, Missouri, and Cheryl Bryant and David of Pleasanton, Kansas, one daughter-in-law Kay Ward of Harrisonville, Missouri. She is also survived by her greatest pleasure in life, eleven grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Sunday January 6, 2008 at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kansas. Burial will be in the East Mt Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM Saturday at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton. The family suggests contributions to the Yellowstone National Park Foundation. On line condolences for the family can be left at www.coffelschneider.com. Arrangements: Coffel-Schneider, Pleasanton, Kansas.