Norman “Norm” Joseph Ward, 91, of Quincy, went to his heavenly home on September 6, 2021. Born November 22,1929 in Erie, PA, Norm was a son of Joseph F. and Clara E. Wiercinski Ward. He married Dolores “Dolly” M. Mszanowski on November 25, 1954, and she preceded him in death on April 4, 1984. Of this marriage came three children. On May 15, 1987, he married Betty L. Jones Schneider, a mother with ten children. She preceded him in death on February 9, 2009.

Norm attended East High School in Erie, PA, graduating with honors in 1947. He attended Gannon College in Erie, graduating in 1951. Shortly after graduating, Norm entered the US Army serving his country in Korea, being discharged in 1954. He worked 23 years for General Electric in Erie as Manager of Accounting. He and his family moved to Quincy, IL the spring of 1978 where he was employed by Gardner-Denver in various capacities of Finance, retiring in 1989. While living in Erie, Norm enjoyed the many camping trips across the states with his family. He also served in many areas of his church, St. James Catholic, and was the chairman of the sewer authority in Harbor Creek Township of Erie County. Upon moving to Quincy, he became active as a Boy Scout leader of Troop 5 for several years and received the Vigil Honor. Norm also was a member of the Breakfast Optimists since 1984, serving as treasurer several years. For their 25th wedding anniversary, he and Dolly took a trip to Hawaii. When he remarried, Norm and Betty enjoyed 20 years of wintering in Mesa, AZ as well as touring all the United States and visiting Canada in their motorhome, as well as a trip to Europe. After Betty’s death, Norm sold the family home and formerly resided at one of the cottages of Good Samaritan Home. He enjoyed his new hobbies of flower gardening as well as fishing with his friend/step son-in-law, Tom.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, and his brother Eugene (late Marilyn) Ward.

Norm is survived by his three children: James G. (Barbara) Ward of Mechanicsburg, PA; Susan M. (Leonard, Jr.) Craft of Liberty, IL and Kenneth J. (Amy) Ward of Show Low, AZ; Five grandchildren: Major Jason J. (Andrea) Ward of Maguire AFB, NJ: Jennifer H. Ward of Harrisburg, PA; Staff Sergeant Daniel J. ((Macaela) Ward of MacDill AFB, FL; Leonard F. Craft, III ‘Trey’ of Quincy, IL, and Koby W.E. Craft of Liberty, IL; sister Norma Jean (late Walter) Mack, of Erie, PA. Norm is also survived by his ten step-children: Michael (Pat) Schneider of Jacksonville, IL; Loretta (Tom) Goehl of Quincy, IL; Sue (late Jay) Kelley of Quincy, IL; Kathi (Roger) Rosenkoetter of Quincy, IL; Anne (Stephen) Penrose of St. Louis, MO; Barbara (Dion) Geiser of Quincy, IL; Mary Jo (Tim) Terwelp of Quincy, IL; Pat (Steve) Owens of Liberty, IL; Julie Flynn of Quincy, IL; and Amy (late Steve) Roberts of O’Fallon, MO; 25 step grandchildren; 30 step great-grandchildren; 3 step great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. St. Peter Catholic Church. Interment will be at the IL Veterans Home Sunset Cemetery with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #37 and the Illinois National Guard Honors Detail. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, September 13, 2021, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church, Breakfast Optimist Club of Quincy, MS Valley Council BSA of Quincy or the donor’s choice.