Karen Ward

Karen L. (Gephart) Ward, 76, passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2019 with her family by her side at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

She was born on October 13, 1943 in Celina, Ohio, the daughter of Robert L. and Victoria A. (Springer) Gephart.  Karen grew up on the family farm in Rockford, Ohio and attended Rockford High School. She moved to Columbus as a young adult where she worked as a waitress and met her husband, Robert W. Ward.

Her hobbies and interests were gardening, sewing, crocheting, and playing Bingo.  She devoted her life and love to her family.

She was an amazing seamstress, perfecting every detail of a Halloween costume for her kids or grandkids to working the intricate details of the leather bucket seat covers she made for her husband’s dune buggies.  She also loved to teach others to sew and crochet.

Karen’s number one priority was always her family, but she also made time to help anyone and everyone that needed her or asked for her help.

In 1983, she went to work part-time for Westerville City Schools as a school bus driver.  It was a job she truly loved and enjoyed.  Karen also worked as a parking attendant at the Ohio State Fairgrounds and was a carrier for The Columbus Dispatch.  She loved any job where she had the opportunity to meet and talk to people.

She is preceded in death by her husband Robert W. Ward, her son Steven Miller, her parents Robert and Victoria (Springer) Gephart and three sisters: Sharon Gangwer, Frances Miller, and infant sister Mary Carolyn Gephart.

She is survived by her children Robert W. Ward Jr, Kimberly D. (David) Martin, Ronald W. (Michelle) Ward, William H. (Brenda) Ward, Daniel F. Ward, twenty-four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Other family members include one sister, Norma Jean (Roger) Hawkin, three brothers, Dick Gephart, Robert (Carol) Gephart, Randy Gephart and two brothers-in-law, Carl Gangwer and Rolland Miller.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christian Life Church, Plain City, Ohio or a Charitable Foundation of your choice.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Christian Life Church, 221 S Chillicothe Street, Plain City, Ohio 43064. Visitation 4:30 – 5:30 pm,

Service – 5:30 pm. A reception will follow the Service.