The Rev. Ralph Franklin Ward, 83, a retired teacher, coach and chaplain, died in Hillsboro at Hillsboro Rehabilitation and Health Care on March 2, 2026.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Hough-Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home,with Mike Lawton and Mark Noyes co-presiding. Hough-Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting the family.
Mr. Ward was born September 14, 1942, in Cape Girardeau, MO, to Jesse Franklin and Ruth Ella Mae (Johnson) Ward; he loved music from an early age. He lived in Chaffee, MO, before studying at Southeast Missouri State University. He loved football and played for SEMO thorughout his college career, graduating in 1964.
When in college, he met the love of his wife, Margie Louise Windes. The two married in 1962, at Wesley United Methodist Church. After their wedding, he started teaching at Fox High School in Arnold, MO. Later, he and his family moved to Hillsboro to teach and coach at Hillsboro High School.
In 1977, Mr. Ward moved his family to Ohio so he could further his studies at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio. After his schooling, he was called back to Illinois to preach at Easton. In 1981, he became a Chaplain at Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro.
He was the president of the Lions Club, helped with Christian athletics, volunteered with state troopers and was a volunteer firefighter. He loved to travel with his wife and family, especially to the beach to avoid midwestern winters. After his retirement, Mr. Ward filled his days with travel, music, movies, preaching at local churches and officiating all of his granddaughters’ weddings.
Mr. Ward is survived by his beloved wife, Margie; children, Frank (Rita), Jeanne (Terry) and Randy (Stacey); grandchildren, Skye (Ted) Hunter, Heather (James) Bingaman, Lindsay (Sean McGarity) Werner and Kayli (Isaiah) Christer; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Werner-McGarity, Alex Hunter and Grace Christer; sibling, Jesse Ward. He was also a loving uncle, cousin and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nadine W. Colegate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donors consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Montgomery County Cancer Association in Mr. Ward’s memory.
Condolences may be left online at www.houghdeanfh.com.
