Joe E. Ward

Joe Edwin Ward age 75, of Hays, died Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at the Hays Medical Center. He was born November 12, 1933 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Roy and Marguerite (Steele) Goodwin. He was adopted by Bill Ward, husband of Marguerite. Joe married Mary Ann (Hoffman) on November 12, 1954 at St. Joseph's Church in Hays.

He was retired from the Wichita Eagle Newspaper after 26 years of service as a district manager and state supervisor. Joe was a US Army veteran serving with the 15th Engineering Battalion with the rank of SGT. 1st Class. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, the Hays American Legion and VFW, 32nd degree Mason and the Isis Shrine Temple serving as a Shrine Clown for ten years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Ward of Hays, a son, Arthur Ward and wife Agnes of Wichita, a daughter, Pamela Ridler and husband Randy of Castle Rock, CO., four grandchildren, Ryan Ridler of Nashville, TN., Lance Ridler of Castle Rock, CO., Aaron Ward of Lawrence and Katie Ward of Wichita and 5 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, B.J. Ward.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 Friday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery with military honors by the Hays American Legion and VFW.

Visitation will be on Thursday 5:00 - 8:00 with a parish vigil service at 6:00 all at Brock's North Hill Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays.

Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Center of Kansas at the KU School of Medicine and may be sent in care of the funeral home.













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