Robert “Bob” Ward, age 69, died Monday, March 10.
He was a friend, uncle, brother, dad, father-in-law, son-in-law, husband and grandpa. He was a planner, cook, pontoon captain, teacher and preacher. He taught his boys so much and his grandkids even more. He spent almost all his free time with his grandkids. If he wasn’t with them, he thought about them and prayed about them.
He taught the grandkids how to swim at a very young age. Grace learned to ride a bike in less than 15 minutes. He was a guitar player, fisherman – caught two smallmouth bass this fall that were over seven pounds.
He couldn’t wait to go up north this spring and do it again with his best buds, Mike and Jim. Summers up north will not be the same.
The grandkids lost their best friend. They lost their swimming buddy. They lost the lap they sat on in the pontoon boat. They lost a man who would always share his small bed up north. They lost a wonderful storyteller. They lost the guy who would bring them garage sale-ing just to buy toys they don’t need.
We all lost something. Mary lost her high school sweetheart – married for 47 years and spending 52 years together total. He instilled his work ethic in all.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ward; children Dan Ward (Merissa Koperski) and Kevin (Kaitlin) Ward; grandchildren Hannah, Jack, Gracelyn, and Gabriel; sister, Sheri (Jerry) Felix; brother, Dave (Val) Ward; brother-in-law, Bobby (Teri) Scheidel; sister-in-law, Kathy (Albert) Schiffer; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Donovan; father, Herbert “Herb” Ward; mother-in-law, Jennis Scheidel; brother-in-law, Danny Scheidel.
Per Bob’s wishes cremation has taken place. A celebration of life service will be held in the future.
