Merritt Benjamin "Met" Ward (1865-1949)

WARD, MENK, ANDERSON, WADE, THOMPSON, MANNING

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/19/2020 at 19:15:32

From Nevada Evening Journal August 9, 1949 (page 4)

Services in Colo For M. B. Ward

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 3, for M. B. Ward in the Colo Methodist church with Rev. John Rex, pastor, in charge.

The music was provided for a mixed quartet, Bill Lounsberry, Mrs. Nellie Lounsberry, Mrs. Lois Yeager and LaVern Horner. The hymns used were "Rock of Ages", "Ivory Palaces" and "Nearer My God to Thee." Mrs. Merle Dickinson presided at the piano, playing "Largo:, preceding the services and also accompanying the quartet.

The many beautiful floral offerings were arranged and cared for by Mrs. Will Donaldson, Mrs. Nelson Perry and Mrs. Paul Lund.

The casket bearers were Henry Hemping, John Picht, Ray Chitty, Roy Alexander, John Brouhard and Bert E. Olson.

Interment was in the Colo cemetery.

The following brief life sketch was read by Rev. Rex during the services:

Obituary

Merritt Benjamin Ward, known as Met Ward, was the son of Benjamin and Elmira Ward. He was born at Hinkley, Ill. Dec. 10, 1865, and died at his home in Colo, Iowa, Aug. 1, 1949, at the age of 83 years, eight months and 21 days.

He grew to manhood in the state of Illinois and when 22 years of age he came to Iowa, locating in the Colo community, which had been his home for 61 years. His entire life was spent in the occupation of farming.

On July 4, 1890, he was united in marriage to Helen Menk. To them were born three children: Harley, Vinnie and Faye who with his wife, survive him.

He entered wholeheartedly in many phases of his life. Being very much interested in education, he served several years on the school board. Twenty years he was a member of the Farmer Elevator board. Also he served in the Shippers association and a director in the telephone company.

It was because of failing health that he gave up active life on the farm.

Survivors

Besides his wife, he leaves his two sons and daughter. They are Harley Ward of Aurora, Ill.; Vinnie, who is Mrs. Oscar Anderson, of Nevada, and Faye, better known as Pete Ward of Colo community.

With these are four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Mr. Ward was one of a family of seven children, two sisters and on brother survive him. They are: Mrs. Ida Wade, Atlanta, Ga.; Mrs. Lillian Thompson, Aurora, Ill., and Edward Manning, Willow Hill, Ill.

Relatives attending from a distance were Harley Ward, of Aurora, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Ward of Sexton, Iowa, and Mrs. Adah McBarnes and H. R. McBarnes of Carroll.