Linda Jeanne Ward (Keatts), 72, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2021 in Springfield. She was born in Monett, Missouri July 15, 1949 to James Henry Keatts and Willie Dale (Oetker). She and Chester “Ron” Ward married on March 30, 1996 in Springfield, Missouri. He survives. Linda attended College of the Ozarks from 1967-1969, and she graduated from Tarkio College. She spent 27 years working for City Utilities, retiring in 2003. She was a member of Seminole Baptist Church in Springfield. She loved her family and friends, flower gardening, taking lots and lots of pictures, church attendance and church activities, and wintering in Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, Alan Keatts, and 1 son, Randy Craig Ward.

Linda is survived by her children; Jeffrey Todd Etem and spouse Kristin (Wright),Jill Marie (Etem) Doke, Laura Gail Ponder (Ward) and spouse Edward, and Chester “Ronnie” Ward. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Brett, Kyle, Bo, Colby Etem, Taylor Fluharty (Donald), Tommy Doke, Matthew Johnson (Jennifer), Amanda Wilbers (Kyle), Victoria Weiberg (Bryan), Grover Johnson IV; 11 great-grandchildren: Erin Ponder, Gabriel, Timothy, Addie Johnson, Callie and Laurie Wilbers, Kyleigh, Donovan, and Camie Weiberg, Ellie Johnson, Gavin Ponder; 3 brothers: Max Keatts (Vickie), Leroy Keatts (Joyce), Wayne Keatts (Jean), 1 foster brother, Wilbur Rauch, and 1 sister-in-law, Rhonda Keatts.

Visitation will be Monday, November 22, 2021, 10:30 am-1:00 pm, at Seminole Baptist Church. Service will begin at 1:00 pm with burial to follow in Hazelwood Cemetery.