Maurice J. "Maury" Ward, age 87, of West Bend, passed away Wednesday February 16, 2005 at the home of his son Jac.
He was born on May 7, 1917 in Eau Claire to the late James and Myrtle (nee Lorntz) Ward. He was raised in Eau Claire and after finishing high school he began working for the telephone company. In 1941 Maury enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the European Theater during WW II until 1945, earning a Bronze Star.
On June 8, 1946 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Smail in Eau Claire. Shortly after they moved to West Bend and Maury worked here for Wisconsin Bell until his retirement in 1979. After his retirement he worked part time for the Myrhum Funeral Home. Dorothy preceded him in death in 1991. He was a member of the Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church, Member and past Master of the West Bend Masonic Lodge # 138 F & Am, member of the Scottish Rite and Tripoli Shrine, Past Patron of the Order of Eastern Star West Bend Chapter # 73, member and past commander of the Fred A. Schaefer VFW Post # 1393, past member of the West Bend Color Guard & Firing Squad, past commander of the VFW 6th District, member of the West Bend Moose Lodge # 1398, member and past president of the retired Dairyland Pioneers. Maury enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family, especially their camping trips at Mauthe Lake.
He is survived by four children, Susan (Thomas) Wade, Tim (Cindy) Ward, Jon (Sheryl) Ward, and Jac (Rebecca) Ward, all of West Bend; 14 grandchildren, Anthony (Ann) Wade, Gregory Wade, Jakob Ward, David Ward, Emily Ward, Tim Ward, Madelyn Ward, Benjamin Ward, Matthew Ward, Jessica Ward, Jeremy Ward, Kayla Sieracki, Kelly Sieracki, and Kyle Sieracki; three sisters, Janette Parisot, Birdie (Charles) Manke, and Virginia Dresel, all of Eau Claire; a sister-in-law Jean (Lloyd) Meyer of Neillsville; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter Maurine, a son James, and two brothers-in-law Arthur Parisot and Clyde Dresel.
Masonic services for Maury will be held on Monday February 21st at 6:45 p.m. with the memorial service immediately following at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, West Bend. Rev. Jon Bartlett will officiate. Visitation will be Monday at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service. Cremation will take place at Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral & Cremation Service and burial of Maury's cremated remains will be in Washington County Memorial Park. Memorials to the Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society are appreciated.