Lester Ward, 85, of Steeplechase Drive, Mishawaka, Ind., died at 5:05 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, in his residence.
Mr. Ward was born on Feb. 23, 1915, in Columbus, Ind. to the late Minnie (Taylor) and Mathew Ward. On Feb. 27, 1943 in Columbus, Mr. Ward married Edith Maurine Miller, who died on Feb. 12, 1964. He married Betty Lee Helstern in Mishawaka on June 12, 1965. She died on May 21, 1979. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Ward in 1971; and by his sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Frank Gutknecht in 1998.
On June 21, 1980, he and Velma Lutz were married in Mishawaka. He is survived by his wife, Velma; daughters, Camilla "Cammy" (Martin) VanMeter of South Bend, Ind., Gwen (Arnold) Tushbant of Augusta, Ga., and Maria Ward of Hanover, Ind.; sons, Lester Brent (Helena) Ward of Mishawaka, Dennis (Barbara) Ward of Pineville, La., and Geoffrey Ward of Indianapolis Ind. He is also survived by grandchildren, Eric VanMeter, John Tushbant, Barbara Tushbant, Ian Ward, Scott Ward, Jason (Norma) Ward, Amber Morrow, Benjamin Ward, Chelsea Ward, Lacey Ward, Lucas Ward and Carly Ward; a step-great-grandson, Zachary Baraza, and by a sister and brother-in-law Florence and Elbert Innis of Columbus.
Mr. Ward served in the United States Navy in World War II and the Korean Conflict, and retired as a lieutenant commander from the Naval Reserve in 1975. He graduated from Indiana Central College, Indiana State Teacher's College, and received a master's degree from Indiana University. He was a mathematics teacher in the Mishawaka School System and taught at LaSalle School, Battell School, Main Junior High School, and John Young Junior High School. He retired in 1978 after 40 years in education.
During his teaching career Mr. Ward was active in the National Education Association and Indiana State Teacher's Association. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as cub scout pack leader at St. Joseph Grade School for a number of years. He was a longtime usher and lector at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka. He was an avid bowler, and enjoyed carpentry and painting.
A funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, officiated by Rev. Robert Yast, with burial at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind.

Lester Ward, 85, of Steeplechase Drive, Mishawaka, Ind., died at 5:05 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, in his residence.
Mr. Ward was born on Feb. 23, 1915, in Columbus, Ind. to the late Minnie (Taylor) and Mathew Ward. On Feb. 27, 1943 in Columbus, Mr. Ward married Edith Maurine Miller, who died on Feb. 12, 1964. He married Betty Lee Helstern in Mishawaka on June 12, 1965. She died on May 21, 1979. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Ward in 1971; and by his sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Frank Gutknecht in 1998.
On June 21, 1980, he and Velma Lutz were married in Mishawaka. He is survived by his wife, Velma; daughters, Camilla "Cammy" (Martin) VanMeter of South Bend, Ind., Gwen (Arnold) Tushbant of Augusta, Ga., and Maria Ward of Hanover, Ind.; sons, Lester Brent (Helena) Ward of Mishawaka, Dennis (Barbara) Ward of Pineville, La., and Geoffrey Ward of Indianapolis Ind. He is also survived by grandchildren, Eric VanMeter, John Tushbant, Barbara Tushbant, Ian Ward, Scott Ward, Jason (Norma) Ward, Amber Morrow, Benjamin Ward, Chelsea Ward, Lacey Ward, Lucas Ward and Carly Ward; a step-great-grandson, Zachary Baraza, and by a sister and brother-in-law Florence and Elbert Innis of Columbus.
Mr. Ward served in the United States Navy in World War II and the Korean Conflict, and retired as a lieutenant commander from the Naval Reserve in 1975. He graduated from Indiana Central College, Indiana State Teacher's College, and received a master's degree from Indiana University. He was a mathematics teacher in the Mishawaka School System and taught at LaSalle School, Battell School, Main Junior High School, and John Young Junior High School. He retired in 1978 after 40 years in education.
During his teaching career Mr. Ward was active in the National Education Association and Indiana State Teacher's Association. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as cub scout pack leader at St. Joseph Grade School for a number of years. He was a longtime usher and lector at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka. He was an avid bowler, and enjoyed carpentry and painting.
A funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, officiated by Rev. Robert Yast, with burial at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind.