Lynn R. Ward, 66, Mineola
Lynn Ray Ward, age 66, of Mineola, died April 26, 2009, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Omaha. Memorial services were held at New Beginnings Worship Center in Bellevue, Neb., on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Pastor Rory Cobbs officiated. Burial was at sea with United States Navy Honor Guard, Jacksonville Naval Station in Mayport, Fla.
The son of Ardithe Lela (Smith) Ward and Hugh Wellington Ward, he was born on Jan. 10, 1943, in Sioux Falls, S.D. He grew up in Redfield, S.D., where he attended school until joining the United States Navy. He and Bonnie Erich of Redfield were married and blessed with three children, Deanna Marie, Samanntha Dawn, and Tara Lee, who died in infancy. The couple later divorced.
Mr. Ward served on the USS Ogden during the Vietnam War. Many of his missions during the war still remain classified today. He graduated in 1972 from the Adult High School in San Diego, Calif. He and Edithe Irene Hanson were married on Dec. 22, 1973, at the West Oak Pentecostal Church of God in Glenwood. They made their home in Chula Vista, Calif., where Mr. Ward was stationed. As a military family, they moved often and lived all over the country. He retired from the Navy in 1984 as an ICC Chief Petty Officer. The family returned to Glenwood where he worked at the deli counter for No Frills Supermarket. His health forced him to retire in 1997 and the family moved to Mineola. Mr. Ward was a painter and enjoyed Indian beadwork. His passion was writing and listening to music.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Tara Ward; grandson Tobias Schaefers; granddaughters Kathryn Pugh and Natalie JaNeanne Ward. He is survived by his wife Edithe Ward of Mineola; children, Deanna Schaefers and husband Delmar of Anchorage, Alaska; Samanntha Pugh and husband Douglas of Chancellor, S.D.; Christopher Ward of Mineola; Jerusha Ward of Bellevue; and his adopted daughters, Stacy Osbon and her son Scott Labs of Bellevue; and Lindsey Bass of Hutchinson, Kan.; seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Memorials suggested to: Children’s Hospital of Omaha. Hertz Funeral Home of Glenwood in charge of arrangements.