Roy (Pete) Ward, 88, of Franklin, peacefully passed away at his home and was finally reunited with his wife, Peggy, at Heaven’s gate on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.
Pete was born on October 11, 1930 in Pittsburgh to Lydia Dobbins Shaffer, who passed shortly after his birth.
He was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Minnie Dobbins Ward and Norman G. Ward, who he only knew as “Mom and Dad”.
Pete grew up in the Pittsburgh and Utica area, attending Utica and Franklin schools.
Hunting and fishing were his life’s passion.
After school, he enlisted in the Army and became a Paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division.
He married the former Peggy L. Maul on July 19, 1951; she preceded him in death on June 26, 2011.
When his family was still at home, they would travel to Canada every summer on vacation to fish. Pete had also traveled to Maine, to hunt moose, and out west, to hunt Elk, but his favorite hunting was always here at home for the Pennsylvania whitetail deer.
He worked at Glenshaw Glass for a short time, the at Franklin Steel for 35 years before his retirement in 1992.
He enjoyed a part time hobby in taxidermy for most of his life, mostly for family’s and friend’s hunts, and was known to be artistic.
Pete was also quite the jokester with everyone he met and loved making others laugh.
He is survived by his son, Rickey L. Ward from NC; his daughter, Rowena (Renie) Ward of Franklin; his two grandchildren, Sherree Lee Paschall and her husband, Brian, and Shannon Lynn Sutherland and her husband, Jody, both of Texas; his four great-grandchildren, Kristin and Chloe Paschall and Kaitlyn and Jayden Sutherland, all of Texas; his numerous nieces and nephews; and his very close, life-long best friend, Bob Miller and his dog, Sam.
In addition to his wife and mother, Roy was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Minnie and Norman Ward; an infant daughter, Marlene Diane Ward; his two sisters, Edna Hanley and Jane Cooper; an infant brother, Harry Shaffer; and his step-sister, Henrietta Ward.
Roy was also preceded in death by four uncles, who were more like brother to him, James, Victor, Thomas, and Richard Dobbins.
As per Roy’s request, there will be no public visitation.
A graveside service and interment for Roy will be held at Lupher Chapel Cemetery, 2296 Old Route 322, Franklin, PA 16323 on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 1 pm.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA 16323.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donation be made in Roy’s honor to the Venango County 4H Horse Program, #B, 867 Mercer Rd, Franklin, PA 16323; to the Utica Volunteer Fire Department, 3860 Academy St, Utica, PA 16362; and/or to the Venango County Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, 29 Pearl Avenue, Oil City, PA 16301.
Online condolences may be made at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.
