The McWard Family
Mighty Oaks from Small Acorns Grow
Donald E McWard
January 9, 1924 - October 31, 2010
Donald E. McWard, 86, of Norma, IL, passed away at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 31, 2010, at Heritage Manor in Normal, Illinois. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Ep[iphany Catholic Church in Normal, officiated by Reverend Pat Fixson. Burial will take place at Eastlawn Mausoleum in Bloomington. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Carmody Glen Funeral Home in Bloomington, IL, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be held for a half-hour before the private service on Thursday at the church.
Don was born on January 9, 1924, on a farm in Morrisonville, IL, the youngest of ten children born to Richard and Rose Cashen McWard. On January 9, 1949, he married Marcella McCraner in Evergreen, CO, New Peregrine. He is survived by his wife, Marcy, at 801 Gregory Street, Apartment 122, Normal, two sons, Daniel (Kathleen) McWard of Laguna Niguel, California, and Patrick McWard of Chicago, IL, and three grandchildren, Terry McWard of Laguna Niguel, California, and Kayla and Connor McWard of Chicago, IL, He was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers, and one sister.
Don attended Illinois State University and served as a World War II veteran, working as a radio operator on the Frank E. Evans Naval Destroyer in the South Pacific. He was a charter member of Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal and played a vital role in various fundraising campaigns for the church. Don was also an usher, served on the Stewardship Appeal, and was active in the Cursillo community.
In 1948, Don began his cooperative career in Kane County as a feed salesman. He later became a sales manager for McLean County Service Company in 1950, followed by roles as general manager at DeKalb County in 1951 and Marshall Putnam Oil Company in 1957. In November 1962, he was appointed as the general manager of McLean County Service Company. Don was known for his innovative management style and constantly sought new and more effective ways to serve farmers in McLean County, including the use of ethanol.
In 1974, Don received the Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award from the Bloomington-Normal Ag Club. He was named Cooperative Manager of the Year in 1985 and received the Agribusinessman of the Year Award from the McLean County Chamber of Commerce in 1986. Throughout the years, he received numerous awards from Growmark, with the highest achievement being named Member of Company of the Year in 1979 and 1982.
Don was actively involved in various community service organizations, including the Youth for Christ Immanuel Bible Foundation, and served on the Advisory Council of the Occupational Development Center. He was a charter member of the Hudson Lions Club, served on the St. Joseph Hospital Board of Directors, and was a past president and Hickson Fellow at Kiwanis International. Additionally, he was a member of the Elks, the VFW, was a third-degree knight in the Knights of Columbus, served as a director of Wesleyan Associates, and was a past chairman of the Gene Mosbacher 4-H Education Fund.
Don was an avid golfer and Chicago White Sox fan. Family was of utmost importance to him, and he cherished his close relationship with his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered as a loving and kind man who always showed kindness to others.
