Bonnie Ayers Ward, 85, of Sycamore, IL died on August 22, 2026, at the Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center.

She was born on August 18, 1941, in Joliet, IL to Harold and Rosemary (McDonald) Ayers and lived in Lockport Illinois until she went to college at Northern Illinois University and got a Bachelor's degree in Education. She met her Husband James P. Ward in a business law class at Northern Illinois University.  After he graduated from Army Officer Candidate School, she married Jim on December 5th, 1964, in Fort Benning Georgia.   They had a loving marriage filled with wonderful adventures and memories for over 61 years.

Bonnie had many jobs including being a business education teacher at Sycamore High School and was a Director of Stewardship and Coordinator of Alumni Relations at Northern Illinois University. The most important job and one she was best at was being a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.

Bonnie was a great athlete – she was an excellent competitive tennis player in the St. Louis area early in her adult life and transitioned to being a great pickleball player who often outplayed others half her age. She really helped grow the sport in DeKalb County. She was an active participant in the 9-Holer golf group at Kishwaukee country club. She provided great love and care to the many pets in her life. She was an avid reader and participated in many book clubs.

What Bonnie enjoyed the most was being with her family. She was the matriarch of the Ward family who always made her family her highest priority. She hosted many memorable holidays, was a wonderful cook, and dropped everything to participate in the lives of and care for her grandkids.  As her family, we take comfort in the knowledge that all her gifts of unconditional love, straightforward guidance and commitment to family are her legacy. This legacy will endure for our lifetimes and for generations to come.

She is survived by her loving husband James P. Ward, two sons James D. (Joan) and Joseph P. (Gina) Ward. 6 grandchildren who she loved dearly - Brittanie, Noah, JT (Baylee), Jeffrey, Jack and Joey.   She was one of 6 children and has two surviving sisters whom she adored  – Janice Ayers Wright (Jim) and Cindy Sue Ayers Riley and six beloved nieces and nephews – Christie, Rob, Stephanie, Stephen, Ryan and Bridget.

She was preceded in death by her father Harold Ayers, mother Rosemary (McDonald) Ayers, two brothers Harold (Ann) and Russell Ayers, her sister Beth Ayers Devine and her brother-In-Law John (Betsy) Ward.

There will be a private memorial for the family at a date to be determined in the future.

To sign the online guest book or share a special memory- go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com