Maxine Marie Ward (92) of Florida, formerly of Effingham

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Published on July 7 2019 1:30 pm

Maxine Marie Ward went home to be with her Lord at 7:05 a.m., Saturday, June 22, 2019, while resting peacefully in the Floridian home of her son and his wife.

Maxine was born the daughter of Charles R. and Maude V. (Phillips) Kyle at home in Shumway, IL, on September 14, 1926.  She married her soldier and love of her life, Grady R. Ward on March 14, 1943.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Southside Baptist Church, 2308 S. Veterans Drive Effingham, IL, followed immediately by her Homegoing Celebration at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Arborcrest Memorial Park, 9455 E. US Highway 40, Effingham, IL 62401. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Care, 5041 N. 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504. Online condolences may be shared at by clicking here.

Mom is home! All praise and glory to: God, our Father, for His plan of salvation; Jesus, His Son, our Saviour, who willingly became the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan; our Holy Spirit, our Guide, who reveals God’s gift of grace, through faith whereby “whosoever will may come” and “take of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17b). Maxine’s was a life well lived, filled with her God, her family and friends...a journey of generous service, blessing many. Maxine did what she could to make life better for others. She was a loving helpmate to Grady; nurturing Mom, Gma, GG; caregiving daughter, sister, aunt; and supportive friend. If there was a need, she helped. If sorrow, loneliness or joy, she shared. Maxine’s Beauty Salon was not just a place to get a beautiful hairstyle; it was Maxine’s mission field of love. Maxine’s life was a living testimony of her God to family, friends, and all who crossed her path.

July 13th is the day we celebrate the homegoing of Maxine Marie Ward...she leaves a huge hole.  We are sad; we will miss her. On October 10, 1979, Maxine was born again when she joyfully asked Jesus into her heart as her Lord and Saviour. With Christ as our Hope, we celebrate the blessed assurance that Mom is safe, whole and HAPPY in Heaven with her God, her husband, family, friends and her “children in the Lord”. God gives US His gift of peace and comfort. We KNOW where she is; we WILL see her again one day; and we WILL rejoice together throughout eternity! Hallelujah!!

That’s our AWESOME God! That’s Maxine Marie Ward. See you later, Mom... we love you!

Maxine was predeceased by her sweetheart on March 1, 2009, two weeks before they were to celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with a long romance. Also predeceasing Maxine are her parents and five siblings: Evelyn Stoldt, Hilda Giorango, Challis Kyle, Marjorie Sullivan and Kenneth Kyle.

Maxine is survived by her daughter Lynda (Jack) Toncray, of Morton, IL; son Gregory (Kirsten) Ward of Panama City Beach, FL; grandchildren: Jaclyn (Vince) Bramble, Jay (Laura) Toncray, Kyle (Heather) Ward, Tyler Ward, Guy Ward and Anthony Ward; three “greats”: Angelyn Toncray, Chloe Bramble and Sophia Bramble; and two brothers: Richard (Sandy) Kyle and Stanley (Shirley) Kyle.