Lucille L. Cantrell Ward

Lucille Lauretta Cantrell Ward, 96, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away Friday, October 30, 2015, at Callaway Good Life Center. Lucille was born May 19, 1919, in Callaway, Nebraska, to Hiram and Hazel (Whipple) Cool. Lucille was a 1937 graduate of Callaway High School. She lived her entire life in the Callaway area. Lucille worked at the grocery store and drug store for many years. She also babysat, and probably took care of half the kids in Callaway. She was fondly known as “Grandma Cille”. She was united in marriage to Marion Cantrell on May 14, 1939, in Callaway. Two children were blessed to this marriage; Nancy and Gary. Marion passed away November 19, 1979. Lucille found love again and was united in marriage to Clifford Ward on October 30, 1995, in Grand Island, Nebraska. He also preceded her in death on August 13, 1999. Lucille was a member of the United Methodist Church in Callaway. She was a longtime member of the church choir, Birthday Belles, United Methodist Quilters, and a card club. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross Bloodmobile for many years. In 2007, Lucille received the “Outstanding Alumni Award” for Callaway Schools. She enjoyed music, crocheting, and quilting. Famous for her fried chicken, graham cracker pie and scotcheroos, she cherished her time with family and friends. She was always ready to share a root beer float with the great grandchildren at any given moment. Lucille loved being with people and always had a witty sense of humor that others adored. She loved children and always had a bright smile on her face. The children she cared for were a part of her and brought her great joy along with her grandkids and great grandkids. She was part of her son’s weekly radio broadcast from Parsons, Kansas called, “Mom’s Jokes from Nebraska”. She was quite the celebrity in Parsons. Lucille will be so missed by all who knew and loved her. Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Willis of Callaway, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Willis of Callaway, Julie (Gene) Ross of Fremont, Nebraska, and Christopher Cantrell of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; four great-grandchildren, Hunter and Laney Willis of Callaway, and Jacob and Jackson Ross of Fremont; daughter-in-law, Karen Cantrell of Parsons, Kansas; brother-in-law, Jerald (Donna) Cantrell of Callaway; two sisters-in-law, Marjorie Cool of Gothenburg, Nebraska, and Elaine Cantrell of Lexington, Nebraska; also surviving are extended family and many friends. Lucille was preceded in death, in addition to her husbands, by her parents; infant daughter, Marilyn Lucille; son, Gary Cantrell; brother, Grayston Cool, and son-in-law, Junior Willis. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Callaway, Nebraska with Pastor Chad Boling and Reverend James Novakowski officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2015, from 5-7 p.m. at the Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, Callaway Good Life Center, or Callaway District Hospital. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.