Jay Ard

Edwin “Jay” Ard, 94, of Bement, IL, passed away on Monday afternoon, June 15, 2026 at his residence.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL. Burial will be in the Bement Township Cemetery, Bement, IL

Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Jay was born on October 13, 1931 in Faubush, Kentucky, the son of Leon and Versa Scrimager Ard. He married Annabelle L. “Ann” Perkins on June 21, 1953 in Bement. She passed away on March 11, 2004.

Survivors include his longtime companion: Mildred Cox, daughter: Lee Ann (Fred)Davison of Norwood, OH, sons: Steven J. (Karen) Ard of Champaign and Jeffrey R. (Cindy) Ard of Bement, 10 grandchildren: Jay, Stephanie, Amy, Brooke, Brandi, Kari, Julianna, Angela, Christina and Jeremy, 14 great-grandchildren, half-brother: Gene Ard of Somerset, KY, half-sisters: Sharon Dorsey of Waynesville, NC, Joan Trifilo of St. Pete Beach, FL

Preceded in death by his parents, half-brother: Harold Ard, half-sisters: Carrie Dobson, Lela Wildman and Erdine Samples.

Jay was a 50 year member of the Bement Masonic Lodge # 365 AF & AM.

He worked as a farmer and retired from ADM in 1976, after working there for 26 years. Jay enjoyed raising hogs and building and remodeling homes.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com