Ward - Dirnberger

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Walter and Cheryl Jones of Sikeston announce the engagement of their daughter, Gretchen Lynn Ward of Scott City, to Travis Gerard Dirnberger of Oran, Mo. He is the son of Renee and Elmer VanderMierden of Advance, Mo., and Gerard and Shari Dirnberger of Oran. Ward is also the daughter of the late Glenn Ward of Scott City.

Ward is a 2002 graduate of Scott City High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Southwest Baptist University in 2007. She is a registered nurse at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Dirnberger is a 2000 graduate of Oran High School. He expects to receive a bachelor of science degree in agricultural business from Southeast Missouri State University in May 2011. He is employed at David M. Barton Agricultural Research Center in Cape Girardeau.

A Jan. 7, 2011, wedding is planned at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran.