Obituaries

March 18, 1934 to February 23, 2025

LAFAYETTE - Charlotte A. Ruch Ward Tillett, 90, of Chalmers, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, at Franciscan Health East, Lafayette. She served as Pulaski County Sheriff in the 1980s.

Charlotte Ward Tillett

She was born March 18, 1934, in Lafayette, to the late H. Willis and Alma (Wein) Ruch. She graduated from Linden High School in 1952. She was married to W. Bayne Ward who preceded her in death on Oct 1, 1983. She later married Donald Tillett who also preceded her in death.

Surviving are her sons Gary B. (Dian) Ward of Chalmers and Kerry W.  (Susan Runnels) Ward of Omaha, Neb.; grandchildren Kristy Morgan (Jake Witkus) and their sons Callen and Cruze, David Green Jr., Steve and Misty Richard, Misty's son Blake Watts (Shianne Holsclaw) and their children Sebastian and Finnick Holsclaw. Also surviving are her siblings Cheryl Blickenstaff, Connie Ruch, Bill (Roberta) Ruch, Josephine (Wayne) Buck and Mary (Larry) Payton.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rebecca J. Morgan, grandson Benjamin Mathew Ward and sister Pat Cox.

Mrs. Tillett served as sheriff of Pulaski County for seven years and retired in 1990. She was appointed sheriff in 1983 following the sudden death of her husband Sheriff Bayne Ward. She was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church and the Indiana Sheriffs Association and the Red Hat Society. She was an animal lover, especially her constant companion for many years Abby her pet cockapoo. She enjoyed nature, quilting, Indiana history and farm life in general.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m., Monday, March 3, at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 3305 Longlois Dr. Lafayette. Rev. Kevin Bowers will officiate. Interment will be at Winamac Cemetery, at 3 p.m. Monday.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethany Presbyterian Church in Charlotte's memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. – Lafayette Chapel.