Shirley Ann (Castle) Ward, age 87 came into the world on December 8,
1934, on a farm north of Oberlin, Kansas to parents Robert Castle and Zoe
Ella (Stebbins) Castle and passed on to her heavenly home to join the
sunset painting team on February 9, 2022, at Decatur Good Samaritan
Society in Oberlin.
Shirley was a fiercely independent woman even before the Women’s
Liberation movement. She graduated from Decatur Community High School
with the class of 1952 and furthered her education at St. Luke’s School
of Nursing in Denver, Colorado, gaining her Registered Nurse
certification. After graduation, she worked at the hospital in Oberlin
and thus began the many friendships that were born with fellow nurses
and nurse assistants and carried on throughout her life. One of her
often shared memories was of a night shift with many patients in the
hospital, just she and one assistant working. The full moon brought in
five new mamas to give birth. When morning came, she went outside and
sat on the curb by the ER and cried, thankful all the patients were okay
and there were five healthy mamas with five new babies. She followed
those kids throughout her life. She worked 57 years as an RN, much of it
in elder care. In her sunset years many of the people she worked with
helped care for her and she loved them all dearly.
On December 21, 1957, she married John H. Ward Jr. To this union two
children were born, Shayla (Ward) Williby and John H. Ward III (Trey).
Shirley and Johnny owned and operated Ward Drug and added the card and
gift shop to the business in 1972. Later she owned and operated The
Flower Shop for several years in Oberlin as well.
Traveling was an integral part of Shirley. She never met a casino
she did not love; from Las Vegas to Deadwood, South Dakota, to Dodge
City, Kansas. Perhaps her favorite part was dragging family and friends
along with her for the shared comedy and chaos that followed her.
Travels carried her to a quiet beach in Hawaii to watch the sunset, a
canopied forest in Canada, to England to attend a sitting of parliament,
and Passover in Puerto Rico. As wonderful as these life experiences
were, none compared to sitting on a bucket fishing for bullheads with
her father and later fishing trips with son Trey. Shirley had a
competitive spirit and truly enjoyed game nights and snacks around
kitchen tables with those she loved. She was an accomplished bowler and
enjoyed many trips to the state bowling tournament with her bowling
friends. She loved holiday get togethers, summer bbq’s and time spent
with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Shirley truly cherished
her loved ones and they cherished her in return.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband John, sister-in-law
and brother-in-law, Sandy and Bob Russell. Those left to celebrate her
life are her children and their spouses; Trey Ward and wife Debra,
Shayla Williby and husband Doug. Sister Janice K. Castle, Brother Bob
(Deanna) Castle, Sister-in-Law Marcia (Jerry) Lohoefener. Three
grandchildren; Cammi Williby-Flax (Tyson), Justin Williby (Angie) and
Josh Williby (Kari), ten great grandchildren; Treger, Trevon, Tateum,
Gage, Reagan, Gatlin, Olivia, Ella, Hailee and Von, many nieces and
nephews and special friends Gary and Leola Zodrow.
Celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, February 19th
at 11:00 a.m., at the Methodist Church in Oberlin, with Pastor Gordon
Pettibone officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Memorials can be given to GROW Decatur County Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse or to donor’s choice. Condolence can be left at www.paulsfh.com.