Junior Ray Ward

Junior Ray Ward, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Kokomo, Ind. passed away Monday, September 14, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Ward was born April 4, 1932 in Conway, Ark., to the late Arville and Janie Ward. He was a member of New Home General Baptist Church. He had served in the Army, during the Korean War and was a retired steel worker. He previously served as a deacon at the First General Baptist Church in Kokomo, Ind. He enjoyed yard work, being a Camp Joy caretaker (for 5 years), church work and activities, and his children and grandchildren. On October 2, 1954, he married Dora (Glover) Ward in Kennett, Mo. She survives. Also surviving are his children, Steven Ward (Alene), Donna Bralley (Jeff); one sister, Freda Nix and brother, James Ward (Ann); 3 grandchildren, Courtney Walsh (Jason), Heather Hose (David), and Steven Ray Ward; and a step-grandson, Christopher Bertolozzi; two great-grandchildren, Addie and Brynlee Walsh; as well as two step-great-grandchildren, Renee and Hunter Bertolozzi. Mr. Ward was preceded in death by his parents, Arville Ward and Janie (Penrod) Ward; a son, Jimmy Ray Ward; 2 sisters, 4 brothers, and an infant grandson. Visitation will held from 6-8pm Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2015, in the chapel, with Rev. Calvin Buhler officiating. Burial will follow at the Mo. State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.