Obituary: Michael Wright Ward

Published 12:15 am Friday, September 8, 2023

Michael Wright Ward, retired U.S. Army colonel, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on the afternoon of July 9 in Indianapolis.

He was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on April 15, 1937, and was the son of Agnes Ward Gizdavich and Dr. Needham Ward. The Ward family moved to Seaside, and he spent his younger years there enjoying baseball, basketball and excelling in school.

An engineer by training, he earned degrees from Oregon State University and Texas A&M University before beginning a distinguished military career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

During his career, he served in Vietnam. He received several medals and decorations, including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. He received senior leadership military education from the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1991.

He was very happily married for 43 years to the love of his life, Beatrice Kay Ward, of New Castle, Indiana. They lived in the Washington, D.C., area, Georgia, Germany, Hawaii and Oregon. They finally settled in New Castle to be closer to her family.

Their family and friends will remember him as very caring, generous, highly intelligent and having a great sense of humor. He leaves a legacy of courage and generosity to his family members.

He is survived by his children, Geralyn Ward, Michelle Ward Kudrin and Ruth Ward DiPietro; grandchild, Isabella Kudrin; by Beatrice’s children, Joni Miller and Eric Longworth; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sister, Sue Ward Lee, and brothers, Dr. Needham Ward, Josh Gizdavich and Marc Ward, and their 11 children and six grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beatrice Kay Ward, on May 8; his parents; and his sister, Ann Pew.

Funeral services were held for family and close friends in New Castle on July 15. Burial will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors rendered. More information can be found at sprolesfamilycares.com.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Harold R. Griffin Henry County Sheriff’s Youth Camp in care of Sproles Family Funeral Home and to Rock Steady Boxing for fighting back against Parkinson’s disease.