Freda Collins Ward, 94, of Circleville, passed away Dec. 25, 2015, at Pickaway Manor.
She was born Sept. 11, 1921, in Pickaway County, the second daughter of Nelson S. and Julia G. (Gaines) Waliser.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Myrl F. Collins; second husband, Berlin D. Ward Sr.; daughter, Sharon Lee Collins; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bernelle and Floyd Moore Sr. and Esther and Robert Collins Sr.; step-grandson, Mark Ward; and nephew, Floyd Moore Jr.
Freda graduated from Saltcreek Twp. High School in 1939 and attended Bliss Business College. She and her husband, Myrl, owned and operated Collins Market which was first located at the corner of Court and Walnut streets (where the Washing Well now stands) and then moved to the corner of Court and High streets (now occupied by the restaurant High Court Cafe).
She worked as a secretary for the Farm Bureau, Lincoln Molded Plastics and retired from General Telephone. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Business and Professional Women.
Freda is survived by her step-son, Berlin (Jane) Ward Jr.; step-grandson, Ty (Lisa) Ward; step-great-grandchildren, Olivia and Zack Ward; nieces, Sally Wetzel, Becky Valentine, Jean (Paul) Speakman, Sue (Lawrence) Young and Darlene (Mike) Woodward; nephews, Nelson (Karen) Moore and Bob (Pat) Collins Jr.; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and many great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Funeral service will be at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 E. Mound St., Circleville, with The Rev. Dr. Gerhard Kraus and Rev. David Hammel officiating. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in Muhlenberg Township Cemetery in Darbyville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church at the address above or Berger Hospice, 1170 N. Court St., Suite B, Circleville, OH 43113.
Arrangements were made with Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home. To share a memory or send condolences, visit www.schoedinger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
