Harley E. Ward

May 9, 1927 - May 12, 2008

PALISADE -- Harley E. Ward, age 81, died Monday, May 12, 2008, at Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home in Wauneta.

He was born May 9, 1927, to William W. and Clara (Geihsler) Ward in McCook. He graduated from Palisade High School in 1945.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Aug. 7, 1945, and served during World War II, and was honorably discharged on March 1, 1947.

Harley married JoAnn Sailors in Palisade on July 8, 1950. To this union six children were born. He worked for two years as a Gamma Ray Logger with the Atomic Energy Commission, living in five southwestern states.

In 1956, they returned to farming in the Palisade area. He worked for the Soil Conservation District and was a school bus driver for Palisade schools for many years.

He was a member of the Palisade United Methodist Church, past member of the McCook Elks and Eagles, lifetime member of the Palisade American Legion post No. 318 and past school board member.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Clara; and daughter, Glenda.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn of Palisade; son, William Ward and wife, Nancy of Palisade; daughters, Cindy Monnahan and husband, Tom of Palisade, Cathy Dunham and husband Dave of Bennington, Kan., Cheri Hahn and husband, Kirk of McCook and Dwana Flaig and husband, Ed of Palisade; brother, Alfred Ward and wife, Freda of Grand Junction, Colo.; 17 grandchildren, Brett, Bethany, Brian and Bart Monnahan; Jeremy, Nathan and Joshua Dunham; Venessa Ward-Sherman, Larissa Ward-Gerhartz, Sabrina and Andrew Ward; Andrea, Kasey and Kody Hahn; Shawn, Cory, Chadric and Kati Jo Flaig; and three great-grandchildren, Zachary, Lela and Addison.

Memorials may be given to the Palisade United Methodist Church or the Palisade Volunteer Fire Dept.

Funeral services will be Friday, May 16, 2008, 10:30 a.m., at Palisade United Methodist Church with Pastor Judy Dye officiating. Burial will be in the Palisade Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation is today until 5 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m. -- 8 p.m. Friends may sign his book at the funeral home or send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.