Obituary of Alfred Henry Ward

Alfred “Al” Henry Ward, 85, of Newton, the son of Alva and Delia Mae (Hicks) Ward was born September 20, 1938, near Matkins, Harrison County, Missouri. Alfred was one of eleven children. He shared his birth year with Route ’66 and Superman. He lost his father at the age eight, in a tragic car wreck. He attended county school near Bodem County, Betheny and Albany, MO. When he wasn’t skipping school to go fishing at the river. He was a high school graduate.  Al had served his country, at the age of 17, with the US Army, in 1959. Serving during Korea, as a Sp-5 Sergeant.

  On July 2, 1961, Al was united in marriage with Mary Patsy Rinehart, in the McFall Baptist Church. Moving to Iowa in 1963, he was employed by the Maytag Company in Newton, retiring in 1998, after 35 years. Al devoted his life to his family, and was a member of the Newton Foursquare Church, the Local #997 UAW Retirees Union and Jasper County Senior Citizens. He enjoyed the outdoors, feeding his squirrels, watching the birds, making pies with Pat and making candles. He had remodeled four homes, built several garages and helped many of his neighbors do the same. He had used many of his talents serving the Lord.       

  Al passed from this world to a better life on Wednesday evening, September 4, 2024, at his home in Newton.    Funeral services for Al will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the Newton Foursquare Church. With a visitation from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., Tuesday, at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Al’s family or to a charity of your choosing.  Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery, next to son Joel.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; son Joel Henry Ward on April 15, 2015; a grandson Tanner; and several brothers and sisters: Buck, Arnold, Jim, Nadine, Mae, Ruby, Sarah, Arty, Frances, and a special sister-in-law Judy.

  Those left to honor Al’s memory include his wife Pat; his sons: Dan (Mary Miller) Ward, Dave Ward, Darin (Leigh) Ward and John (Tammy) Ward; his former daughter-in-law Mindy Ward; his grandchildren: Heather, Amanda, Ciara, Maddison, Jaxson, Mateo, Prudence, Phobe, Nichole, Jarid and Brett; a brother Willie Ward; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Frank, Dan, Danny, Linda, Velma, Zelma and Barbara; and his many extended family and friends.