Norman Vearl Ward, 86, of Taylorville, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025, at his residence surrounded by his family. 

 Norman was born on September 14, 1938, in Tovey, IL, the son of William and Luceal (Blagrave) Ward.  He married Ruth Ann O’Hara on February 14, 2004, at the Taylorville Methodist Church. 

Surviving are his wife, Ruth Ann Ward of Taylorville; their children, Rick (Nenita) Ward of Minneapolis, MN, Norman Jay (Rhonda) Ward of Taylorville, Kami (Bryan) Payne of Taylorville, Anita (Joe) Burton of Taylorville, Peggy (John) Cooper of Coffeen, and Michael Flynn of Peoria; 14 grandchildren: Megan and Wes Diefendorf, Arika and Keegan Ward, Shane Lucas, Tristan and Andrew Shick, Britt and Cassie Buron, Tyler and Jamie Cooper, Colby and Tara Cooper, Kerriann and Nick Reeder, Jackson, Isabella, Sophia and Gabriella Flyn;19 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Judy (Ed) of Decatur. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Patsy; his siblings:  Bill, Shirley, Thelma, and Betty. 

Norman served his county proudly in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1959.  Later in life, he worked at Peabody Coal Company as the midnight coal manager.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs fan.  Norman was a member of the Amateur Trap Shooting Association and Illinois State Trap Shooting Association.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing any chance he could get.  He also raised several beagles and rottweilers. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. 

Visitation will be held Friday, June 27, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville.  A memorial service will follow the visitation at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville.  Memorial contributions may be made to the South Fork Sports Boosters.