Mildred Ward-Loebach

Mildred “Millie” Ward-Loebach of St. Joseph passed away Monday, December 01, 2014 at The Willows Assisted Living in St. Joseph at the age of 94. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 4th at St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Avenue, St. Joseph, Michigan, 49085, with Rev. Harris Hoekwater officiating. Cremation has taken place and a private burial will take place at North Shore Memorial Gardens at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 900 Cooper St., Jackson, Michigan, 49202 or St. Joseph First United Methodist Church. Those wishing to sign Mildred’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph. Mildred was born October 22, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Rudolph and Anna (Gaba) Stevica Sr.  In her early childhood she was adopted by James Gould. On December 25, 1938 she married Charles Ward. She worked a number of years at the Country Store in Benton Harbor and hired into the Heath Company in 1960 retiring after 25 years of service. Mildred loved her flowers, knew how to dance up a storm and cook some great dishes. Her Christmas cookies and fudge were gifts for family and friends. Mildred is survived by her daughter Shirley (Tom) Holt and her son Ron (Marilyn) Ward. Grandchildren David (Susan) Dean, Kevin (Janet) Dean, Ron Jr. (Ronda) Ward, Donna (Gavin) Truesdale, and Michelle (Shawn) Carter. Great Grandchildren Sarah, Rachel and Stephen Dean, Emma and Olivia Truesdale, Alex (Carly) Diaz: brother EJ (Maryanne) Gould, and half sister Mary Stevica Wahlen, and many nieces and nephews.  Preceding her in death, husband Charles and second husband Frank Loebach along with Brother Joseph Gould, Daughter Carol Ann Dean, grandchild Michael Holt and half brother Rudolph Stevica Jr.