Shelbia J. Ward

Shelbia Jean Ward died on October 17th, 2024, at her home surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.

She was born in Quincy, IL to Fred and Dorothy (Shupe) Monroe on September 4th, 1936.

Shelbia spent her grade school years in a one room schoolhouse, attended Ursa Grade School and she wrapped up her secondary education when she graduated from Unity High School in 1954. She went to Blessing Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1957. She immediately started work at Blessing Hospital, where she remained until a well-deserved retirement after 43 years of service in 2001.

During her career she worked on medical-surgical floors, ICU, The Emergency Department, as a house supervisor and lastly as the Employee Health Nurse. She enjoyed her nursing career very much.

On May 5th, 1956, Shelbia married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Ward, in Salem Evangelical Church in Quincy, IL. They celebrated their 68th anniversary this year.

Shelbia was devoted to her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, working in the garden and yard, reading and working on crossword puzzles. She passed down a wealth of knowledge of cooking, canning, sewing and more to her Grandchildren. Her Sunday lunches were always a cherished time with good food and family. She always found time during the holidays to make Christmas candy and cookies that she lovingly gave to friends and family.

Survivors include her husband Ronald, a son Steven (Maggie) Ward of Mendon, a Grandson Zach (Christa) Ward of Cedar Rapids, two Granddaughters Sara Koch of Quincy and Rebecca Ward of Coatsburg; 8 Great-Grandchildren, Cara Koch, Caleb Lenane, Levi Lenane, Carter Lenane, Emma Koch, Connor Koch, Lillian Koch, Quentin Koch of Quincy and Ace Stephens of Cedar Rapids; a brother-in-law Larry Ward of Quincy and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her two sons, Mark David and Kent Lee; parents Fred and Dorthy Monroe; two brothers Nelson Monroe and Ronnie Monroe; Grandparents, Orville and Tillie Shupe; Great-Grandparents, Hermman and Minnie Warning; Mother-in-law, Cleo Hamilton; Father-in-law Jesse Hamilton; Daughter-in-law, Christina Ward; three sisters-in-law Kay Monroe, Marilyn Monroe, and Virgina Ward; a niece Joy Monroe; a great-nephew Richard Eaton and a Great-Granddaughter Rosalie Koch.

Funeral Services for Shelbia Ward will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the Triplett Funeral Home in Mendon, Illinois. Pastor Earl Wiseman will officiate. Burial will follow at the New Providence Cemetery, near Ursa, Illinois. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Triplett Funeral Home in Mendon, Illinois. 

Memorial contributions in memory of Shelbia are suggested to Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing.