NORRIS "JOHN" WARD

Jan. 14, 1934 - Sept. 10, 2009
MISHAWAKA - Norris "John" Ward, 75, of Mishawaka, passed away on September 10, 2009, due to medical complications after suffering a fall in July. He was born on January 14, 1934, to Norris D. Ward and Pauline G. (Burkert) Ward in LaPorte, Indiana.

John is survived by his mother, Pauline Ward; and his wife, Dolores Marlene Ward; three children, Dale (Michelle) Olivier of Niles, Lori (Dave) Sanders of Mishawaka and Lisa (Dave) Peli of Mishawaka; eight grandchildren including Dale Olivier Jr., Bridgette (Jordon) Dosmann, John Olivier, Chelsea, Nick, and Chloe Peli, and Erik and Kice Sanders; two great grandchildren, Haley and Hunter Dosmann. Also surviving are three siblings, Ilene Mackling of Edwardsburg, Walter (Jane) Ward of Three Oaks, and Janet (Larry) Phillips of Mishawaka. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his father, Norris D. Ward, and two brothers-in-law, Don Mackling and Cloyd Nichols.

In 1953 John graduated from Central High School, in South Bend, then enlisted in the Army and served for three years. He was a member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans, Inc. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in South Bend.

On May 23, 1964, he married Dolores Marlene (Nichols) Olivier in St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He bowled in a league at Shula's in Niles for 17 years and was a member of the Eagles Post 2083, where he played pool. John retired in 2005 from Bendix/Honeywell after 48 years of service as an electrician. Thank you to the nursing and physical therapy staff at Healthwin where he stayed for rehab following his fall. Special thanks from the family to the nursing staff at Memorial Hospital ER and on 10-South for the care John received the last four days of his life.

A memorial service will be held at Bubb Funeral Chapel on Wednesday September 16, 2009 at 11 am with Rev. Greg Fiechtner officiating. The family will greet friends from 9 am until service time. Memorial contributions in John's name may be made to the Alzheimer Service of Northern Indiana, 922 E. Colfax Av., South Bend, Indiana or Special Olympics, 106 Lincoln Way East Mishawaka, IN 46544. Condolences may be sent to Bubbfuneralchapel.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Sep. 13, 2009.

03/09/2023 EJS