Phyllis I. (Mendenhall) Ward, 83, of Fort Wayne, went home to be with the Lord while surrounded by her family on January 3, 2024 at her son's home. She was born June 25, 1940 in Hawarden, Iowa, the adopted daughter of John C. Mendenhall and Margareta F. (Leyh) Mendenhall, and the biological daughter of Milo M. and Harriet M. Bedard. She graduated from New Albin High School in New Albin, IA and attended Northwestern College in Minneapolis, MN. She was a member of Headwater's Church. She taught children's Sunday school for several years and worked in the Sunday school office. She also was the costume and hand props coordinator for her church. Her favorite things to do were sewing, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, and teaching how to sew, knit, and crochet. She worked for the Judy Toy Company, Bob Black's Herbs and Vitamins, Scott's Grocery Store, Crossroads Flowers, Dollar Tree, and Blackhawk Baptist Church. She is survived by her three children, Timothy (Lisa) Ward, Nathan (Cindy) Ward-McClymonds, and Elisabeth (David) Jacoby; eleven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis: one son, John Ward: her adopted parents and her biological parents: one sister, Peggy (Bedard) Schuette; and three brothers, Milo Mendenhall, Dean Scheibe, and Gene Bedard. "Her creativity and generosity will be dearly missed". Service is 6:00 pm, Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Headwaters Church, 2000 N. Wells St., with calling three hours prior beginning at 3:00 pm. Memorials may be made to Headwaters Church's New Mercies ministry for kids, checks made out to Headwaters Church. To sign the online obituary, go to www.fairhavenfortwayne.com