Funeral services for Nancy J. (Millett) Ward, 73, of East Moline, IL, will be 10:00 AM Wednesday at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline, where she was a member. Burial will be in National Cemetery, Rock Island, IL. Visitation will be 3-7PM Tuesday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, where a rosary will be held at 6:30PM. Nancy passed away Sunday, November 4, 2007 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA surrounded by her family. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to her great-grandson's Brady Ward-Jackson Education Fund or East Moline Fire Fighters Association Local #929. Nancy was born on Oct. 23, 1934, to Merlin 'Mike' Millett, Sr. and Erie (Hyland) Millett on Campbells Island. She was united in marriage to William 'Bill' Ward on April 23, 1955, at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline. She graduated with honors from UTHS Class of 1952. Nancy worked at Deere & Company and retired from John Deere Parts Center in Oct. 2000 after 28 years of dedicated service. She enjoyed wintering in Mesa, AZ, with her husband and friends. Nancy and Elaine DeFauw started and coached boys minor league baseball and girls softball during the 1960's and early 70's. Their teams went undefeated several seasons and won several city championships. Nancy coached her daughters so well, Pam was the second and Linda the third UTHS Female Athlete of the Year. During the 1960's, Nancy was one of the original chaperons of the UTHS After-Prom Party at Regal Lanes. Also, she was one of the organizers of the UTHS Skating/Dancing programs at Skateland Skating Rink. She was a Girl Scout Leader for several years. Nancy was a former member of the East Moline D.A.R.E. board. She was a very special wife, mother and grandmother who was proud to be involved with and loved watching her children and grandchildren participate in all their activities. Nancy was forever collecting antiques, and anything purple, to add to her collections. She enjoyed following her favorite musical group The Oak Ridge Boys around the country while she attended 190 of their concerts. The group members phoned Nancy just last week to offer their best wishes and prayers. Watching and feeding all the wildlife in her back yard was a daily blessing. Nancy had an incredible will to live. Nancy's family appreciates the excellent care she received from Dr. John Golden and his staff, the entire staff at Illini Restorative Care Center, Genesis VNA, and the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House staff. Thanks to all her family, friends, and Hospice volunteers who took time to make her as comfortable as possible. Survivors include: her husband of 52 years, Bill; sons and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Kristin Ward, Colona, IL, Greg Ward, West Des Moines, IA; daughters, Pam Ward and Linda Ward, East Moline; six grandchildren, Angie Blair, Rock Island, Joshua Ward, Moline, Corey Ward, Melrose, IA, Sara Blair, Minneapolis, MN; Joshua Wagle, Colona and Ashton Wagle, Colona; a great-grandson, Brady Ward-Jackson; a brother, Robert Millett, Mt. Pleasant, IA; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Merlin Millett Jr, and granddaughter, Kayla Ward-Jackson.