Irene E. Ward, 76, of Montpelier died early Friday morning at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  She was born on May 17, 1936 in Jackson, Michigan to Woodrow and Vivian (Wyatt) Wilcox.  She married Duane L. Ward on September 10, 1960 in Angola, Indiana, and he survives. Irene retired from Powers and Sons in Montpelier.  She was a member of the Moose #312 Auxiliary, avid BINGO player, huge animal lover and was very involved with her family and loved them the most. Irene is survived by her husband Duane, five children, Lois (Brent) Diffenbaugh of Quincy, Michigan, Lonn Laser of Hillsdale, Michigan, Annetta Davis of Osseo, Michigan, Michelle Ward of Montpelier and Duane "Sam" (Jamie) Ward Jr. of Montpelier; twenty grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren; two brothers Ralph (Shirley) Wilcox of Kentucky, Michael (Cindy) Wilcox of Jackson, Michigan; stepmother Margaret Wilcox of Montpelier; and a step sister Sharon (Bill) Tarr of Montpelier. She was preceded in death by her parents Woodrow and Vivian Wilcox, daughter Lannette Laser and three grandsons. Visitation for Irene will be on Tuesday, April 23rd from 2-6pm at the Thompson Funeral Home in Montpelier.  Services will follow at 6pm at the funeral home with Pastor John Rumple to officiate.  Donations may be made to the family to help with medical expenses.