Obituaries
Funny Obit Remembering Indiana Man Is So Chicago
Terry Ward's obituary has gained widespread attention on the web. Much of it describes a typical South Side American hero.
SOUTH HOLLAND, IL - News outlets across the country have been spreading the funny obituary the family of Terry Ward of DeMotte, Indiana wrote after Ward's death at the age of 71 this week. Ward is the one who "escaped this mortal realm" leaving behind 32 jars of Miracle Whip among other things and who vowed to know absolutely nothing about the Kardashians and never owned a cell phone.
The obituary is epic from start to finish. And perhaps no group of people can relate to a greater portion of it than Chicagoans. South Siders, in particular.
It's true that Ward's listed hometown in the obit is DeMotte, Indiana. While that's not considered to be near the heart of "The Region" of Northwest Indiana, residents of the town do have a "219" area code. So it's not like Ward moved very far away. This just means the region rats of Northwest Indiana can claim this awesome man as well.
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The obituary states Ward graduated from Thornridge High School in South Holland, "where only three of his teachers took an early retirement after having had him as a student." He was among the outstanding group of people who know "The Blues Brothers" was the greatest movie of all time and cheer for the Chicago White Sox. ALSO ON PATCH: 'The Blues Brothers' Is 1 Of Patch's 13 Snow Day Movie Picks
The old school man many of us wish we could have had a cold one with also liked hunting, fishing, golfing, The History Channel, old Buicks and many other awesome subjects.
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Ward was an active combat veteran in the Vietnam War after volunteering his service in the United States Army. His blue-collar work ethic is evidenced with the 39 years he worked for the phone company that's been known as Indiana Bell, Ameritech and AT&T.
His obituary mentioned his 1972 Rambler, hiking at Turkey Run (a popular camping destination for South Side and Northwest Indiana residents) and included the nicknames for his grandchildren.
One of the world's best obituaries has allowed Ward to reach fame posthumously. As of Friday afternoon there were more than 100 comments left on his Legacy.com guestbook. Most from people who didn't know him but wish they had.
Read Terry Ward's full obituary via Geisen Funeral Home in Crown Point, Indiana.
Photo via Geisen Funeral Home
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