Jerry Ralph Ward

Jerry Ralph Ward of Chesterton passed peacefully in the loving embrace of his family on September 21, 2024, after a long illness. 

Jerry was born on October 2, 1943, in Effingham, Illinois, the son of Dorothy M. and William S. Kuhns. After William returned from WWII in Europe, the young family moved to Gary, Indiana in search of better economic opportunity. The family then moved to Chesterton in 1955, where Jerry attended Yost School and Chesterton High School, graduating in 1962. Jerry then embarked on a 39-plus year career as a Lineman with Northern Indiana Public Service Company, retiring in 2002.

Despite his skills as an electrician, Jerry was affectionately known among his closest friends as “Farmer”, a moniker he earned by spending many boyhood summers on his uncle’s farm in southern Illinois and his insatiable desire to plant seeds wherever he saw inviting soil. His summer vegetable gardens were a source of pride and beauty.

While attending Chesterton High School Jerry met the love of his life, Betty Showen. They married in 1964 and began a family of their own. They had two daughters, Rhonda Miller of Chesterton and Deborah (David) Marshall of Warsaw, IN, who survive. Also surviving are his wife, Betty; two brothers, Donald (Marion) Kuhns of Manhattan Beach, CA and Phillip (Debra) Kuhns of Wheatfield, IN; grandchildren Dean (Jessica) Jackson, Kayla Miller, Collin Miller and Alicia Marshall; great-grandchild Finnley Jackson and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Jerry in death were his parents, parents-in-law and a grandchild, Daniel McKinney.

Family and friends are very lucky to have known someone that makes saying goodbye so difficult. Jerry was especially fortunate to have known Jerry Humphrey, his long-time neighbor and dear friend. The family is proud to celebrate a very full life, very well-lived.

Services will be at White-Love funeral home at 525 S. 2nd street in Chesterton on Friday, September 27. The visitation is from 10 am – 1 pm. The funeral service is at 1pm and will be conducted by Pastor G. Thomas Jones. Burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to VNA Hospice or Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, Inc.

Please share your wonderful memories with the family at: www.whitelovefuneralhome.com. 

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