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Deceased Classmate: Michael D. Ward
Date Of Birth: July-13-1936
Date Deceased: Nopvember-11-3012
Age at Death: 76
Cause of Death:
Classmate City: Walla Walla
Classmate State: WA
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: No
Survived By: Lorene Price Ward
Deceased Classmate: Michael D. Ward Date Of Birth: July-13-1936 Date Deceased: November-11-2012 Age at Death: 76 Cause of Death: Classmate City: Walla Walla Classmate State: WA Classmate Country: USA Was a Veteran: No Survived By: Lorene Price Ward Michael "Mike" Donavan Ward, youngest son of Leander Berry Ward and Bessie (King) Ward was born in Rupert, Idaho, on July 13, 1936. He attended Rupert Elementary and Junior High and graduated from Rupert High School in 1954 Mike married Lorene Price on March 14, 1962, in Rupert, Idaho, and came to Walla Walla, Wash., in 1982 from Vancouver, Wash. They celebrated their Golden Anniv. of 50 years in March of this year. They enjoyed a fulfilled life, traveling alot and, in their travels, they were able to be in all 50 states. They enjoyed fishing, boating, skiing and camping. They took long trips in the motor home. Family was important to him, and the camping and fishing trips are great memories for the family. Mike liked playing both standard and bass guitar. He spernt many hours playing with his wife at home and also in church bands. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved God and attended Walla Walla First Assembly of God Church for 30 years. He is now a member of God's Kingdom. Mike was an electrician and began working for Continental Can Company in 1966, which later sold to Crown Cork and Seal; he worked there for 32 years, retiring in 1999. He leaves behind his wife, Lorene of Walla Walla; one daughter, Laura Ann (Robert) Lundstrom of Paola, Kansas; two sons, Duane and daughter-in-law Diane Crownover of Weston, Ore., and Dennis Ward of Walla Walla; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cremation was at Mountain View Crematory. Friends may write memories and sign the online guestbook at www.mountainview-colonialdewitt.com. Deceased Classmate: Michael D. Ward Date Of Birth: July-13-1936 Date Deceased: November-11-2012 Age at Death: 76 Cause of Death: Classmate City: Walla Walla Classmate State: WA Classmate Country: USA Was a Veteran: No Survived By: Lorene Price Ward Michael "Mike" Donavan Ward, youngest son of Leander Berry Ward and Bessie (King) Ward was born in Rupert, Idaho, on July 13, 1936. He attended Rupert Elementary and Junior High and graduated from Rupert High School in 1954 Mike married Lorene Price on March 14, 1962, in Rupert, Idaho, and came to Walla Walla, Wash., in 1982 from Vancouver, Wash. They celebrated their Golden Anniv. of 50 years in March of this year. They enjoyed a fulfilled life, traveling alot and, in their travels, they were able to be in all 50 states. They enjoyed fishing, boating, skiing and camping. They took long trips in the motor home. Family was important to him, and the camping and fishing trips are great memories for the family. Mike liked playing both standard and bass guitar. He spernt many hours playing with his wife at home and also in church bands. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved God and attended Walla Walla First Assembly of God Church for 30 years. He is now a member of God's Kingdom. Mike was an electrician and began working for Continental Can Company in 1966, which later sold to Crown Cork and Seal; he worked there for 32 years, retiring in 1999. He leaves behind his wife, Lorene of Walla Walla; one daughter, Laura Ann (Robert) Lundstrom of Paola, Kansas; two sons, Duane and daughter-in-law Diane Crownover of Weston, Ore., and Dennis Ward of Walla Walla; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cremation was at Mountain View Crematory. Friends may write memories and sign the online guestbook at www.mountainview-colonialdewitt.com.
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Michael D. Ward
Michael D. Ward "MIKE" July 13, 1936-November 11, 2012
By his wife, Lorene Ward. December 4, 2012
Many of you probably knew Mike suffered with the dreaded Alzheimer Disease which started with symtoms shortly after he retired from Crown Cork & Seal Co in 1999. He was in denial for a few years but as it progressed we went to the doctor who took tests to confirm it.
We did attend the 2004 50th class reunion there in Rupert and we did sing the song Green Green Grass of Home with him on guitar and me on accordion. I think we goofed some but it still was special that he could yet play some at that time. Later he lost all that to the disease and was unable to play even here at home with me. It is a disease though that takes away so much from the victim as well as his family. We really grieved these past few years for him. He did what he could though, at times we got upset on certain things like hygiene problems etc. but he was not really the MIKE everyone knew so that is in the past for us as a family.
We did get to take a trip with my brother in August to see my family and also his daughter Laura Ann and her children, grand children, most of whom he'd never seen as his daughter was LOST to us for about 40 years but she was able to locate us a few years ago so that was a good thing for all of us. She lives in Kansas and was able to come out the week he passed away and spend a couple days with my son Dennis & I and our son Duane who lives in Weston, Oregon. It was pretty emotional time for all of us.
Mike was doing pretty well, eating good but then his system began to shut down on him, closing his throat so he could not eat and Hospice brought hospitial bed and he lasted just a few days. We kept him sedated the last few days as it bothered him a lot to even be touched.
He went to sleep in the LORD'S PRESENCE on that Sunday morning about 8 a.m. We had a family/friends Memorial Celebration of his life this past Sat. at our home family room with around 30 of us in attendance. The church provided plenty of food for us. We sang the hymns that Mike always loved to sing and play and some of us shared special memories too. My brother John Price gave such a special message for him. They were always close and he was whom I felt should do it for him.
We had him cremated and his urn is a beautiful wooden one with his name, birth & death with a LARGE MOUTH BASS in the front of it. We feel it would have pleased him with that and the type of memorial for him. WE MISS HIM SO MUCH but he is free of pain, frustrations and now has a HEALED MIND AND BODY and that gives us the PEACE AND COMFORT in our hearts too. WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOME DAY, MIKE! I LOVE YOU DEARLY and YOU WERE MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE.. Lorene