Pawnee — Sharon Marie Ward, 81, of Pawnee, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Sharon was born on Feb. 19, 1945, in Olney, the daughter of Blanchard C. and Marie B. Seely Jenkins. She married John R. Ward on March 10, 1972, at Pawnee United Methodist Church. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Sharon graduated from Newton Community High School in 1963 and attended secretarial school in Mattoon. Later, after having children, she attended Lincoln Land Community College and Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois Springfield). Sharon was an Associate Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, retiring in 2006. During her career, she also worked in the Governor's Office at the Bureau of the Budget for 20 years where she rose to the position of Division Chief, for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for six years, in the Art Department at Southern Illinois University, and taught in the Pawnee and Chatham school districts.

Sharon was a member of the Pawnee Christian Church, going back to the church's beginning at the school. For many years, she played the piano or organ and was able to provide beautiful music to the congregation while still ensuring her sons behaved in the second row by occasionally casting a stern look in their direction. She played most every Sunday and at many weddings and funerals. She also helped teach Bible school and Sunday School classes. She was a devout Christian whose faith was awe- inspiring and absolute.

Sharon enjoyed traveling and took many trips with family and friends. While she loved seeing and doing new things, one of her favorite places was Devils Tower in Wyoming. She walked completely around the tower on one of the hottest days of the year while in her mid-70s. As much as she liked traveling, she loved returning home even more and always said it was good to be home upon walking into the house. She made it a priority to show the world to her sons. Even when there wasn't enough money to go on a big trip, she found a way to take them places and do new things.

She loved playing the piano and listening to music, going to concerts, and singing along with the radio, especially old gospel hymns. She also loved playing games and was very competitive, especially when playing Scrabble with John. She was an avid photographer and scrapbooker and utilized those skills to create numerous scrapbooks of her grandchildren and of the trips she took.

Sharon led a full life and had numerous personal and professional successes. She did many things in her 81 years and left this world having made more memories than most people could hope for.

Nothing in this world was more important to Sharon than her family to whom she dedicated her life. The last 21 years of her life revolved entirely around her grandchildren, and her face lit up any time she saw one of them. It was rare that a day went by without her seeing at least one of her five grandkids. She spent over 52 years married to the love of her life, and she never stopped talking about him after his death. She frequently told stories about him — some of them very shocking to her grandkids — and was very excited about the prospect of their reunion.

Sharon was an extraordinary woman: proud yet humble, strict but forgiving, firm in her beliefs while accepting of others, competitive yet not a sore loser, firm but gentle, saintly yet ornery, and educated but down to earth.

She is survived by two sons, Joshua R. (wife, Alana) Ward and Justin L. (wife, Lindsay) Ward, both of Pawnee; five grandchildren, Claire, Caden, Canon, Avery and Brady Ward; two brothers, Dennis Jenkins of Olney and Russell (wife, Dee) Jenkins of Peoria; two sisters, Darlene (husband, John) Hosselton of Cisne and Gayla Jenkins of Charleston; and several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and an aunt.

Sharon was a great wife and a perfect Mom and Grandma. The world was a better place with her in it, and she will be sorely missed.

Sharon's family will meet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at the Pawnee Christian Church. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at the Pawnee Christian Church, with Rev. David Swihart officiating. A private burial will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pawnee Sports Boosters, P.O. Box 196, Pawnee, IL 62558, or to the Pawnee Junior High and High School Art Department, 810 Fourth St., Pawnee, IL 62558.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is honored to serve the family of Sharon Ward. Online condolences may be shared at www.curryfh.com.