Michael E. Ward

WARD, Michael E., 60, of Springfield passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2014 in Villa Springfield following a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He is survived by the love of his life and his wife of 37 years, Judy A. (Miller) Ward and a beloved son and daughter-in-law, Ryan & Janae Ward, Broken Arrow, OK. He was born November 24, 1953 in Marion, Ohio the son of Donna (Rosebrough) and the late Richard Ward. Sisters, Sheri & Rick Forness, Susan (Kurt Nicodemus) Smith; brothers, Rick & Karin Ward and David Ward. Other survivors include his mother-in-law, Hazel Miller; special sister and brother-in-law, Kimberly and Robert Beard; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends. Mike was a 1972 graduate of Springfield South High School. He retired from Columbia Gas in 2009 after 21 years of service and had previously worked for the Clark Co. Utilities Dept. and Conrail & Erie Lackawanna Railroads. Mike loved life and will always be remembered for his smile and caring ways. He loved to laugh and loved his family and friends. Mike was an avid sports fan with his favorite teams being the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Browns. He played many years of baseball, softball, basketball and golf. He was a member of the ALS Association, Elk's Lodge #51, Springfield Golf Association, Gasco Club, Warder Park Dad's Club, and attended First Christian Church. Mike was a mentor to many youth, coaching baseball, soccer, and basketball. As Mike fought each day to battle this debilitating disease, he was a participant in several research projects to help find treatment and a cure for ALS. His final act of selflessness was to donate tissue and organs for further ALS research. He wanted us to keep fighting for a cure. As an everlasting tribute to Mike and to help others afflicted with ALS, "The Michael Ward Legacy" Golf Tournament was founded in 2013, by his son, Ryan. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Michael Ward Legacy c/o I.H. Credit Union, 5000 Urbana Rd., Springfield, Ohio 45502. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Richard Ward, father-in-law, Elmer Miller and his maternal and paternal grandparents. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in First Christian Church. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday in the church with Pastor Sam Waldron officiating. Burial will follow in Ferncliff Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by CONROY FUNERAL HOME.