HELEN L. WARD

Helen L. Ward, 88, of Excelsior Springs, MO, died on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at the Excelsior Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Helen was born on May 17, 1926 in Kansas City, MO, to Carl D. and Edna E. (Lemons) Bockman, Sr. She married Van E. Ward, Jr. on April 21, 1973. He preceded her in death on May 4, 1997.
Survivors include; two daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Chet Phelps of Vista, CA and Beverly and Jerry Bryant of Excelsior Springs, MO; and one brother, Carl Bockman, Jr. of Kingsport, TN. Seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren also survive.
In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by two sons, Joe L. Wooten, Jr. and Russell "Bud" Wooten; and one sister, Elizabeth Ann Bockman.
Helen was an electronic assembler at Allied Signal (Bendix) for 33 years, before retiring in 1990. She was a member of the Richmond First Baptist Church. She was a 1943 graduate of Westport High School. She loved playing the organ. She had lived in Grandview, MO and Richmond, before moving to Excelsior Springs in 2008.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Burial will be in Richmond Memory Gardens Cemetery. On line condolences may be left on our website at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.