Donald W. Ward

Obituary of Donald W. Ward

In Loving Memory of:

Donald Winfield Ward

1925 - 2018

Donald Winfield Ward, 92, of Silver Lake, Ohio, passed away on March 7, 2018. He was born June 7, 1925 in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Max and Athena Ward. He graduated from Ottawa High School. Commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1943, Don served on the USS Columbia and USS Little Rock during WWII, and sailed across the Arctic Circle becoming a member of the Order of the Blue Nose. He earned degrees in Naval Technology from the University of Minnesota and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas. Don enjoyed a 37 year Engineering career at The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in both Topeka, Kansas and Akron, Ohio, held numerous patents and was awarded the Dinsmore Award for the "Topeka Hot Knife".

Don is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Rita (Horning), as well as his three children, Stephen Ward, Douglas (Kathryn) Ward and Lisa (David) Horejs, three grandchildren, Mallory, Kelly and Alex Horejs, and two sisters, Maxine Holland and Jeanne Schmidt.

Don enjoyed dancing the Lindy to big band music. He was known for his animated storytelling, of which his tailor made suit story was a favorite. He was an artistic designer and skilled craftsman in jewelry making, woodworking, homebuilding and renovations. He designed renovations in his Silver Lake home and his son's Lake Lanier home, as well as overseeing the construction of his daughter's new home. He was an avid gardener, golf enthusiast, and active member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was thrilled to travel to Washington D.C. in 2013 with the Laurel Lake sponsored WWII Honor Flight.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Laurel Lake Serenity Chapel on March 24, 2018 at 1:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be given to The Laurel Lake Foundation, 200 Laurel Lake Drive, Hudson OH 44236.