Obituary of Marilyn Ward

Marilyn Sundquist Ward, age 87 of Sterling, Illinois, and Jupiter, Florida, passed away peacefully in her Jupiter home on February 18, 2019.  Marilyn was born in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of proud Swedes Ruby (Johnson) Sundquist and Bernard “Ben” Sundquist. She attended Rockford East High School, then the University of Colorado her freshman year and then the University of Illinois where she obtained her teaching degree and met the love of her life, Philip Henry Ward, Jr.  She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and remained active with her sorority friends during her adult life. After graduating, they were married and while Phil attended the University of Illinois Law School, she taught high school for almost a full year and then bore two children, Robert and Philip III. After graduation from law school, they moved to Delaware where Phil as an officer in the Air Force. They then returned to Phil’s home town of Sterling where Phil joined his father in the practice of law at Ward & Ward.

After moving back to Sterling, Marilyn bore their third child, a daughter, Susan. Longtime residents of Sterling, Illinois, Marilyn nurtured her children through grade school and high school, but as they matured, she returned to teaching in the local schools in Sterling.

Marilyn was an avid golfer, tennis player and skier, loving her home town in Illinois, but also enjoyed Florida.  Marilyn and Phil purchased a home in Jupiter, Florida, in 1991 and both became Florida residents in recent years. While enjoying her summers in Illinois, Marilyn especially enjoyed the winter climate and the ocean in Jupiter. Marilyn and Phil enjoyed many years of traveling around the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Phil, her three children, Robert, Philip and Susan, Robert’s wife Patty and daughter Christa, Philip’s wife, Pam, and their children Cathleen (husband Paul) and Ben, and Susan, her husband Craig Underwood and their three daughters, Alexa, Sami and Nikki.

Visitation will be held at the Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling, Illinois, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 24, and services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Sterling with Pastor Christina Berry, officiating at 11:00 AM Monday, February 25, but visitors will be welcome to arrive early for fellowship. Marilyn will be laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery in Sterling.  

Memorials have been established to First Presbyterian Church of Sterling, PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization), Sterling Schools Foundation or any organization of your choice.

Local Arrangements were completed by Schilling Funeral Home and Cremation, Sterling.

Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com