Shirley Marie Bates McWard, 92, of Owaneco, died on Friday, July 26, 2019, at Life’s Journey Senior Living in Taylorville.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville. Funeral Services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville. Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. McWard was born on Oct. 28, 1926, in Taylorville, the daughter of Oliver C. and Harriett (DeBarr) Bates of Owaneco. She married Donald McWard on June 7, 1959, at Owaneco United Methodist Church.
She graduated from Taylorville High School in 1944 and Millikin University in 1949. Mrs. McWard was a registered Medical Technologist before she began working on the family farm. She was especially proud of her Shorthorn cattle and Morgan horses. Mrs. McWard was a member of Eastern Star and White Shrine for 70 years. She was also a member of the Christian County Lady Landowners, the Christian County Purebred Beef Breeders’ Association, the Christian County Genealogical Society and the Christian County Historical Society. Mrs. Mcward was a member of the Peter Meyer Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution for 30 years. She was also active in Home Extension, 4-H and the Master Gardener program.
Mrs. McWard is survived by her husband, Donald; children, Marie (Patrick) Kapustka, Cheryl, Dean (Venise DeVore) and Christine (Jaime) Alban; grandchildren, Alex Kapustka, Kevin Kapustka, Claire Kapustka, Jacob McWard, Sophia Alban and Sam Alban; nieces; nephews; and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Oliver Bates.
Memorials may be made to the Christian County Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund or Buckeye United Methodist Church at 600 N1600 East Road, Owaneco, IL 62555.
Condolences may be left online at www.suttonmemorialhome.com.
