Ward C. Degler

Ward C. Degler, 89, of Zionsville, passed away November 23, 2024. He was born May 4, 1935 in Phillips, WI, to the late Roy H. and Marion B. (Shaw) Degler. Ward graduated in 1953 from Jeff City High School, Jefferson City, MO, receiving a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute. He attended 1 ½ years before entering the U.S. Army. Using the GI Bill, he attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism, graduating in 1962. We encourage you to read more about Ward’s life, including his time in the Navy, at journalism.missouri.edu. Ward used his writing skills in marketing for corporations and advertising agencies. He was Creative Director for the American Legion the last few years of his career, retiring in February 2001. Ward started writing a weekly column in the 1990’s for the Zionsville Times Sentinel, titled “I Was Just Thinking.” In 2011, he published a book of 151 of these columns, “The Dark Ages of My Youth and Times More Recent.” He later wrote a weekly column for the Current in Zionsville. Ward’s newest book, “The Golden Osprey”, is a novel about a Viet Nam Vet who lost his faith in mankind and in God and how he found it again. It is expected to be in circulation by mid-December. While Ward made a living writing, his first love was art. His greatest love was connecting his art with his faith. He is known for letting the Holy Spirit guide him with his paintings, gifting them to leaders of Cursillo weekends. During Ward’s flight training, he and instructor Kirk Forbes shared Christ together, followed by attending Bible Study Fellowship. They later shared a sailboat in Key West. His faith continued to grow through Cursillo and Holy Family Community. The relationships he built with his brothers in Christ have continued to be an integral part of his daily life until his passing. Many called Ward the “Renaissance Man” because he excelled in many areas. In addition to his careers, love of art and writing, he also enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica and singing with family and friends. He loved the outdoors, especially sailing. Ward was an excellent carpenter and could do almost anything. He was witty and a fun storyteller and his smile could light up a room. Ward married Jeanne Hodge Degler on November 23, 1980. He worshiped at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church where he was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #12510. He was a member of the American Legion, Cursillo in Christianity, a writer’s group, past member of the Rotary Club and on the Board of Directors for Seeds of Hope. Visitation will be Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel, 9900 Allisonville Road, Fishers, and one hour prior to mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, 1870 West Oak Street, Zionsville. Ward is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Jeanne Hodge Degler; sister, Shelley E.J. Dillmore; brother, Roger L. Degler (Paula); children, Anika J. Rudloff (Steve), Heidi A. Morton (Kenny), Dietricha L. Degler, Gretchen K. Williams (Seth), Mark A. Hodge (Christine), Kathleen M. Phipps (Randal), Robert J. Hodge (Lisa Rae), Kelly J. DeSchryver (Robert), and David J. Hodge (Maria); grandchildren, Jennifer Kasper (Dan), Nikea Hernandez (Mark), Bethany Wills, Michael Sweeney, Shaun Sweeney, Jessica, Natasha, Ailey Williams, Kiera Williams, Christopher Hodge, Robert Hodge, Jacob Hodge (Janel), Christian Phipps (Heather), Victoria Hand (Linc), Dylan Plummer, Holly Renton (Josh), Stephanie Hodge (Joe Loeffel), Claire Hodge (Andrew Harding), Candace Kavanaugh (Steve), Stephen DeSchryver, Charlie DeSchryver, Jane Patterson (Weifan Liu), Christina Miller (Eric), Erika Plummer, John Plummer (Leah), James Hodge, Michael Hodge, and Luke Hodge; great-grandchildren, Carter Nacy, Ava Kasper, Mackenzie Hodge, Maxon Hodge, Hannah Hodge, Hayden Hodge, Henry Hodge, Zay Plummer, Niya Plummer, Carwyn Loeffel, Ainsley Loeffel, Jacoby Walker, Carly Walker, Bella Anastasio, Elijah Miller, Ezra Miller, Link Plummer, Ariya Brettin, Payton Padget, Tommy Plummer, and Nirvana Liu; and great-great-granddaughter, Layla Christianson. Ward was preceded in death by his parents, Roy H. and Marion B. (Shaw) Degler; brother, Jerry Degler; and grandchildren, Chris J. Nacy, Sara R. Bowman, and Heather M. (Shedivy) Hodge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ward's memory may be made to Seeds of Hope Inc., 1425 S. Mickley Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46241 or online at https://seedsofhopeindy.org and/or Central Indiana Cursillo Center, c/o Marty Van Der Burgt, Treasurer, 3280 Waverly Drive, Richmond, IN 47374 or online at https://cursillo-cicc.org

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Ward C. Degler

May 4, 1935 - November 23, 2024