Patricia Joan Ward

Patricia Joan Ward, 64, of Indianapolis, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 5, 2023. She was born on September 4, 1958, in Loogootee, Indiana, to the late Joseph and Virginia Ward.

After graduating high school in Loogootee, she continued her studies at Indiana University, completing her undergraduate work in History and Journalism and later earning her master’s degree in American Studies. She was a talented writer and a voracious reader and was employed at both the Indiana and Butler University libraries before leaving to enter corporate clerical work.

Patricia was a great enthusiast of Sherlock Holmes and was a member of the Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis, a scion of the Sherlock Holmes Baker Street Irregulars. She was a recipient of the group’s prestigious Northumberland Award and composed a regular column for the Illustrious Clients Newsletter as well as essays and articles for The Sherlock Holmes Review among others. Her last work is to appear in the forthcoming Baker Street Irregulars manuscript series book devoted to the Holmes story, “The Illustrious Client.”

Pat is best remembered for her extensive knowledge of classic films (especially those of Fred Astaire), her unequaled love of books and her tender affection for animals, particularly cats.

Survivors include her brother, Charles Ward of Greenfield, and dear friends, Jeff and Rebecca Smith of Indianapolis, their children Zach and Anna Smith, Ann Lewis of Lebanon, Steven Doyle of Zionsville, and all her other numerous Sherlockian friends, especially those in the Illustrious Clients.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 11 a.m. in St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 535 Edgewood Ave., Indianapolis, with Fr. John Mang presiding. Friends may call prior to Mass from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family and friends request that you donate toward funeral expenses by calling Lauck & Veldhof Funeral and Cremation Services at 317-636-6655 or through PayPal to Jeffrey Smith at smithjj(at)comcast.net. Use the friends and family option.

Final care and services are being handled by Lauck & Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services. To order flowers or share a condolence with the family, please visit www.LauckFuneralHome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Joan Ward, please visit our floral store.