Keith Allen Ward

Keith Allen Ward, age 77, of Bowerston, died Tuesday, December 20, 2011 in Aultman Hospital at Canton following three year battle with bone cancer.A son of the late Carl J. and Thelma Allen Ward, Keith was born on November 17, 1934 at East Liverpool, Ohio. He was a 1953 graduate of East Liverpool High School and entered into the United States Navy on January 13, 1954. While home on leave, he married the former Joan Matthews in the East Liverpool Church of the Nazarene on March 27, 1955. Keith Returned to Navy life and continued to serve his country until his discharge on November 25, 1957. While serving, he served aboard the USS Barton and was also a part of the 6th Fleet, stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.Upon his discharge, Keith spent 30 years with the United States Postal Service where he worked as a Railroad Postal Clerk until his position was transitioned to that of an Expeditor and he was relocated to a sorting terminal at Youngstown.For 30 years, Keith lived in Columbiana, Ohio. Following his retirement, he and Joan relocated to New Philadelphia to be near family and later moved to Bowerston. For the past 15 years, Keith has attended the First Assembly of God Church at New Philadelphia with his family. Over the years he enjoyed gardening, yard work, watching the wildlife, particularly the deer around his home, and sharing in the companionship with his dog, Shaggy.Another of Keith’s passions was spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter, whom he shared his birthday with, and vacationing at the ocean and enjoying the beach and water.In addition to his wife of 56 years, Keith will be missed by a daughter, Tammy (Scott) Thacker of New Philadelphia, his pride-and-joy, his granddaughter, Hayley Jo Thacker; and a brother, Richard (Doris) Ward of Hiram Georgia and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Keith was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Mary Ward.In keeping with Keith’s wishes cremation will take place with inurnment in Western Reserve National Cemetery at Rittman.A memorial service for family and friends will be led by Pastor Larry Fletcher on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 7:30 PM in the First Assembly of God Church at New Philadelphia with the family greeting guests at the church 1 hour prior to the service. Following the service, fellowship with light refreshments will be shared in the church social hall. The family requests memorial contributions in Keith’s memory may be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County 201 W Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622.