Jacklynn Marie (Ward) Earley

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother and Grannie, Jacklynn Marie Ward Earley. She was known by friends and family as Jackie.

After a long battle with dementia, Jackie passed peacefully at Nottingham Place in Midland, Michigan at the age of 77, on April 09, 2025.

She was born the oldest daughter to Edgar and Helen Ward on July 27, 1947. The Porter Township area is where Jackie lived a good portion of her life. Jackie graduated from Breckenridge High School in the Class of 1965.

She had many passions in life, but her greatest joy was being a mother to her sons- Simon, Eric, and Noah, and her precious daughter Leah.

Friends and family could often find Jackie in her backyard garden digging, planting, growing, and pruning her plants. She enjoyed decorating her garden with solar lights, paintings, garden statues, and steppingstones; setting the mood for entertaining those she loved.

She was a member of various social clubs throughout the years. The Country Neighbors and The Valley Herb Society is where Jackie found deep lifelong friendships.

Jackie was known as the Garden Grannie. She enjoyed teaching workshops sharing her knowledge of gardening and cooking with herbs. This love of teaching poured over into the lives of her grandchildren. Grannie loved creating and having adventures with them. What once started as family activities with her children, was handed down to the next generation. Those family times were often spent at Dow Gardens and Chippewa Nature Center. Whether enjoying activities and events, or volunteering time. Jackie enjoyed sharing her love of nature with her children and grandchildren.

So much more could be shared about Jackie's life. Her hobbies, volunteering, friend circles, and past places of employment. But it can all be summed up like this. Jackie lived life to the fullest. She literally lit up a room. She learned all she could, and experienced as much, as life had to offer her. Whether you know her as Jackie, Mom, Grannie, Auntie, or Friend; she will be deeply missed.

Jackie is survived by sons- Simon, Eric (wife Sheryl), Noah (wife Jennifer). Grandchildren Mariah Earley, Carlee (Matt) Olenczuk, Maddy (Ryan) Kurschat, Reyanna, Sydney, and Alexis Earley, Caitlin Vansetters, and Sam Czarnopys. Her brother Tim (Cindy) Ward, brother-in-laws Nute Colthorp, and Mike Hanson, sisters Sheila Good, and Christine (Glenn) Arnold. Along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jackie is proceeding in death by her parents Edgar and Helen Ward, daughter Leah Earley, granddaughter Taylor McCaw, daughter-in-law Sooner Earley, sisters Nancy Hanson, and Peggy Colthorp, brothers Chris Ward, and Todd Ward, brother-in-law Dave Good, and sister-in-law Patty Ward.

A grave side service will take place for Jackie's immediate family at Porter Township Cemetery. The family is planning a memorial service in the very near future. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Howe Memorial Library, 128 E Saginaw St, P.O. Box 398, Breckenridge, MI 48615 or the Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S Badour Rd, Midland, MI 48640. Arrangements were entrusted to W.L. Case and Company Funeral Directors. Please share your thoughts and memories of Jackie by visiting www.casefuneralhome.com.