John A. Ward, Sr.

Sioux City, IA – John A. Ward, Sr., 84, of Sioux City, IA died Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 30, 2017, at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.  

John Allen Ward, the son of James Fed and Ola (Bennett) Ward, was born July 27, 1932 in Harrisville, MS.  John was raised and attended school in Harrisville.

On August 17, 1950, John enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He served until his honorable discharge on September 8, 1953.  During his time in the Air Force, he was stationed at the Sioux City Air Base and this is when he met his future wife, Lois Petersen.  They met on a blind date and were married on September 1, 1952, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City.  They moved to Jackson, MS for a short time and John attended Raymonds College to learn auto body repair.  After returning to Sioux City, he worked at E and F Body Shop and then Brouillettes until his retirement.  In his retirement years, he drove vehicles for several local dealerships.

John enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting and was the first of three generations to drive race cars.  He was a lifetime member of the VFW.

John is survived by his wife, Lois of Sioux City; one son, John Ward, Jr. (Lee) of Sioux City; two daughters: Sheryle Allen (Rick) of Sioux City and Kathi Luebben (Don) of Moncks Corner, SC; seven grandchildren: DeAnna Brunson (Daryl), Jason Ward (Jodi), Jenny Dorenkamp (Ben), Kristy Luebben (David Cole), Julie Smith (David), D.J. Luebben (Tracey Weatherford) and Kelli Rivers (Anthony); seventeen great grandchildren; one brother, James Ward, Jr. of LaGrange, GA; one sister, Sue Woodbury of Jonesboro, AR; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter in infancy; and four siblings: Nelson Ward, Francis Robinson, Jean Childress and Bonnie Odom.