MARJORIE M. WARD
Rutledge, Missouri 1925 – 2026
Marjorie Marie Ward, 100, of Rutledge, Missouri, passed away Thursday morning, April 2, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.
The daughter of Cecil Paul and Ethel Ambrose Starkey. She was born December 21, 1925, in Hudson, Illinois. She attended school in Hudson, Illinois, where she graduated. After graduation she worked at Steak ‘n’ Shake and at an Ice House.
On February 10, 1946, Marjorie married Lloyd Ward in Bloomington, Illinois, and to this union two children were born, Connie and Robert.
In 1952, Marjorie, Lloyd and Lloyd’s brother, Orville along with his wife Donna, moved to Missouri where they purchased a farm south of Rutledge. Marjorie lived in Rutledge area for 74 years.
Marjorie was active in the local 4-H and a member of Rutledge Eastern Star for 72 years. Marjorie and her best friend, Eileen McCabe, managed the cook shacks at the Rutledge Dog Sale/ Flea Market to benefit numerous community organizations, for a number of years.
Marjorie enjoyed being wife, mom, and grandmother. She enjoyed the life of farming, but her passion was gardening and canning. Where she spent countless hours tending to flowers and plants. It was there she found peace, purpose, and a reflection of the care she gave so naturally to others.
Marjorie lived a long and meaningful life centered around family, friendship, and hard work. She had a heart that gave freely and deeply always putting others before herself. Whether through a warm meal, a kind word, or simply her presence. She made everyone around her feel loved and valued.
She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother Bill Starkey, six sister in laws Sarah Becker, Geneva Canfield, Donna Miller, Jenny Fulk, Doris Miles, and Bobbie Starkey, five brother in laws, Orville Ward, John Becker Jr, Edwin Canfield, Burdell Fulk, and Glen Miles, one son in law, Ray Ward and one daughter in law, Merry Ward, one step granddaughter, Heather Ward and one step great granddaughter, Tierra Stanberry.
Surviving relatives include her daughter Connie Ward of Rutledge, Missouri; and one son, Robert “Bob” Ward of Edina, Missouri. Three grandchildren, Joey Ann Hintz and her husband Terry of Nekoosa, Wisconsin, Robert Ward and wife Maranda of Edina, Missouri, Sarah Huffman and husband Bobby of Edina, Missouri. Nine great grandchildren Jessica, Kory, and Logan Hintz, Preston, Wesley (Lexi), Elijah, and Mattie Ward, Max Montgomery and Mya Huffman. Seven step-great-grandchildren Taylor Clary and Christopher Huffman, Natasha Eddleman, Tayler Stines, Kailee Tungate, Joslyn and Landon Stanberry, and Ellee Dewees, step-great -great grandchildren, Liam Hintz, Warren and Walker Clary, Ruger and Remington Eddleman, Autumn, Nicolas, Zach, Jadeyn, Ashlynn, Cadence and Summer Stines, Jackson and Kooper Tungate.
There was an OES Service held Saturday evening at 7:00 P.M. at Payne Funeral Chapel at the close of the visitation. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, April 5, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. at the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis with Brother Shawn McAffee and Pastor Kathy Gardner officiating. Interment followed at the Pauline Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Robert Ward, Bobby Huffman, Wesley Ward, Elijah Ward, Max Montgomery, and David Parrish.
Honorary Pallbearers were Warren Clary, Walker Clary, Lane Clary, Dan Cavanaugh, Wesley Weiler, Mark Weiler, Gayland Weiler, Brandon Givens, and Bruce Childress.
Online condolences may be shared with the Ward family by logging onto Payne’s website at paynefuneralchapel. com.
Memorial suggestions in her honor are to either the Rutledge Fire Department or to the Rutledge Chapter of the OES and may be left at or mailed to the Payne Funeral Chapel, 202 E. Madison St., Memphis, Missouri 63555.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis.
