John Raymond Ward, 63, Dixon, died Monday, May 13, 2019, in the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia.
He was born Sept. 7, 1955, to Ernest and Mildred (Swick) Ward, in Effingham, Ill.
He was united in marriage to Dolores Lee Brickey, Feb. 22, 1985, at Dixon.
John served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 30, 1973 to 1994 when he retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was awarded and entitled to wear the Meritorious Service Medal – 2D AWD; Army Commendation Medal – 4th AWD; Army Achievement Medal – 3D AWD; Army Good Conduct Medal – 7th AWD; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon – 4th AWD; Non Commissioned Officer Professional DevelopmentRibbon – 3D AWD; Expert Qualification Badge Hand Grenade; Sharpshooter Qualification Badge; Rifle M16 and the Expert Qualification Badge 45 Caliber Pistol.
John was a member of the Arlington Lodge Number 346 A.F. & A.M., Dixon. Following his military career, he worked as a deputy sheriff for Pulaski County as a crime scene investigator and later for civil service as an instructor of weapons for mass destruction. He also served as the municipal judge for the City of Dixon for several years.
He was preceded in death by parents, Ernest and Mildred; wife, Dolores; son, John Michael Ward; and brother, Therman Ward.
He is survived by daughters, Valarie and husband Michael Sowers of Jackson, LaDonna Hansmann and husband Les of Dixon, Sabina Winterrowd and husband Larry of Dieterich, Ill., Amanda Albert and husband Jake of Clearwater, Fla., Brittany Smith and husband Andrew of Dixon and Beverly Watson and husband Paul of Dixon; and 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Masonic services, under the auspices of Arlington Lodge Number 346 A.F. & A.M., were held Friday, May 17, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon, followed by a funeral service with Pastor Tom Cromwell officiating. Interment with full military honors was at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Waynesville.
