Donald Ward

Donald K. Ward, 91, of Lincoln formerly of Mason City, passed away at 10:47 AM, Friday, December 30, 2016, at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.

He was born on November 29, 1925, in Brooklyn, Illinois, the son of Kenneth L. and Florence (Wells) Ward.  He first married Shirley L. Bellomy on May 1, 1946 at the First Christian Church in Frederick.  She preceded him in death on February 11, 1977.  He later married Mildred M. Zehr on December 30, 1984 at the First Christian Church in Pekin.  She preceded him in death on September 16, 2009.

Surviving are one son Niles S. Ward of Springfield, one daughter Janet Zimmerman and husband Joe of Sherman, two step daughters Carole Lutes of Cheshire, Connecticut and Terry Joerger of Tremont, six grandchildren Scot Ward and wife Jen, Penny Sommer and husband Brian, James Ward, David Ward, Jenna Kloba and husband Kris, and Jessica Housh and husband Bryce, two step granddaughters Erica Bontatibus and huband Rick, and Devin Lutes, nine great grandchildren Trent Ward, Mykensie Ward, Faydra Sommer, Kendra Sommer, Audra Sommer, Alexandra Sommer, Madison Kloba, Alex Kloba and Henlee Housh, three step great grandchildren Dante Bontatibus, Isabella Bontatibus, and Elena Bontatibus, one sister Beverly Blust of Galesburg, and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives and one brother Marcus J. Ward.

Donald served with United States Coast Guard Merchant Marines during WW II.  He served in the Atlantic, Pacific and the Middle East War Zones.  Donald was the fleet manager for National By-Products, Incorporated, for 30 years retiring on January 1, 1983.  He was a member and elder of the First Christian Church in Mason City.  During the 1970’s and 1980’s, he served with a lay witness mission. He was a member of Gideons International and volunteered at The Christian Village in Lincoln.

Services will be at 11:30 AM, Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with Chaplain Ryan Edgecomb officiating.  Interment will follow in the Messerer Cemetery near Frederick. Visitation will be from 10:30 AM until service time.  Memorials are suggested to Gideons International or The Christian Village in Lincoln.