Wayne H. Ward, 89 passed peacefully on Tuesday, July 26th in Loveland, Colorado where he has resided for the last four years.

Wayne was born on April 22, 1922 in Elmdale, Kansas to William H. and Beth Ward. On June 19, 1943 he married Jean Drummond in Emporia, Kansas. He attended Elmdale schools and in 1940 he was named the Kansas Livestock Champion in 4-H. When attending Kansas State University he was a member of the wrestling team and AGR fraternity.

Wayne served in the US Army in World War II in the Philippines and Okinawa and was discharged as a 1st Sergeant. His war medals included 2 purple hearts, 2 bronze stars and a silver star. After the war he returned to Chase County and was a Farmer-Stockman. In 1962, Wayne moved his family to Larned, Kansas and started Ward Feed Yard, and served two years as President of Kansas Feeders Council. He was a Mason, member of the VFW, American Legion, Kansas Livestock Association, National Cattlemens Association, Elmdale and Larned United Methodist Churches.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Jean of Loveland, CO; one sister, Alice Richmond (Kent) of Marion, KS; daughter, Virginia Braden (John Shackelford) of Austin, TX; son, Brian Ward and wife Diane of Windsor, CO; daughter, Mary Rankin and husband Randy of Castle Rock, CO; seven grandchildren, Jay Braden and Kate Braden Stein (Kevin) of TX, Ty Ward (Ashley), Ace Ward (Kellie), Sunny Ward Ranieri (Ted), Laura Rankin Matyszewski (Sebastian) and Colby Rankin (Paige Schnakenberg) of CO; and seven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Herrick Henry.

Memorial Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6th, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Larned, with the Pastor Bill Fitzgerrel presiding. Graveside Service will be at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6th, 2011 at the Elmdale Cemetery, Elmdale, KS. Friends may sign the register from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Inurnment will be in the Elmdale Cemetery with Military Graveside Rights provided by Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Memorials may be given to 4-H or the Elmdale Cemetery Association (for recent tornado damage) both in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.