James K. Ward

James K. (Jim) Ward, 86 of Sun City Center, Florida, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Sun Terrace Healthcare Center, Sun City Center. He was born on April 5, 1924 in West Frankfort, Ill. The only son of Reverend James K. and Margaret Carr Ward. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years Eileen; 3 daughters Susan (Robert) Klopfenstein of St. Augustine, Fl, Sandra ( Michael) Warner of Naperville, Ill and Patricia (Milo) Phillips of Corvallis, OR; 3 step children Jeffrey (Janet) Probst of Yorkville, Ill; Judith (Dr. Philip) Bonomi of Oswego, Ill and Jay (Jayne) Probst of Orlando, Fl, 3 sisters, 5 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren , 7 great-grandchildren and one step great grandson also survive. Jim served in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corp (flying Tigers), flying P51's and P 40's fighter air craft in China and India. Jim is a graduate from Millikin University Decatur, Ill, and pursued graduate work in Labor and Industrial Relations at the University of California Berkley, before entering a 36 year career with Caterpillar Inc, retiring April 1, 1987 as Vice President of Labor and Industrial Relations. He enjoyed a 6 year assignment in Belgium in the start up of the Caterpillar plant there. Jim was also active in various civic and local functions including Alderman, Washington, Ill; Tazewell County Planning Commission , Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations and Past President of Pekin County Club, Pekin, Ill. Inurnment will take place at Pearce Cemetery in Oswego, Ill. honoring his wishes there will be no visitation and no service. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, Sun City Center, Fla (813) 634-9900