Velma Ward-Wood

Velma Arlene Ward, age 91, formerly of Petoskey, passed away Tuesday evening, July 17, 2012 at her daughter's home in Muskegon under the loving care of her family and Harbor Hospice. The daughter of Chester & Bertha Mae (Nelson) Hughey, she was born on Feb. 22, 1921 in Peru, Indiana. On July 4, 1946, in Petoskey, she married Ernest Ward and together they raised eight children. Mrs. Ward was a licensed practical nurse and worked for several years in the office of Dr. Richard Knecht in Petoskey. In retirement, she and Ernest enjoyed spending the winter months in Ocala, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest Ward in 1995; a son, Leo Ward; and her siblings, Merlin Hughey, Harold Turk, Neil Hughey, Carlton Hughey, Bob Hughey; and one great grandson. Surviving are her children, Patricia Allen of Suffolk, Virginia, Duane (Kay) Duncan of Fowlerton, Indiana, Sandy (Ivan) Sanford of Muskegon, Ron (Sheila) Ward of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Lynda (Jim) Kresnak of Petoskey, Rita (Lamar) McCullough of Belleville, Florida, and and Jon Ward of Vacaville, California; her siblings, Rosalie Smith, Don Hughey, Neoma Brown, Lorraine Kingma, Arvin Hughey, Chetty Hughey, Honey Vandecaveue, Sherry Whelan, Bonnie Holck, and Dawn Kirksey; a very special person, Aunt Marie Hull Hughey; 18 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 19 great- great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Velma's life will be held on Sunday, July 29, 2012, beginning at 2:00 p.m. the Alanson Community Center 7631 Burr Avenue, Alanson. Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Velma's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. Velma Arlene Ward, age 91, formerly of Petoskey, passed away Tuesday evening, July 17, 2012 at her daughter's home in Muskegon under the loving care of her family and Harbor Hospice. The daughter of Chester & Bertha Mae (Nelson) Hughey, she was born on Feb. 22, 1921 in Peru, Indiana. On July 4, 1946, in Petoskey, she married Ernest Ward and together they raised eight children. Mrs. Ward was a licensed practical nurse and worked for several years in the office of Dr. Richard Knecht in Petoskey. In retirement, she and Ernest enjoyed spending the winter months in Ocala, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest Ward in 1995; a son, Leo Ward; and her siblings, Merlin Hughey, Harold Turk, Neil Hughey, Carlton Hughey, Bob Hughey; and one great grandson. Surviving are her children, Patricia Allen of Suffolk, Virginia, Duane (Kay) Duncan of Fowlerton, Indiana, Sandy (Ivan) Sanford of Muskegon, Ron (Sheila) Ward of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Lynda (Jim) Kresnak of Petoskey, Rita (Lamar) McCullough of Belleville, Florida, and and Jon Ward of Vacaville, California; her siblings, Rosalie Smith, Don Hughey, Neoma Brown, Lorraine Kingma, Arvin Hughey, Chetty Hughey, Honey Vandecaveue, Sherry Whelan, Bonnie Holck, and Dawn Kirksey; a very special person, Aunt Marie Hull Hughey; 18 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 19 great- great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Velma's life will be held on Sunday, July 29, 2012, beginning at 2:00 p.m. the Alanson Community Center 7631 Burr Avenue, Alanson. Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Velma's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Velma Ward-Wood, please visit our flower store.