Obituaries - October 16, 2011 - David Arthur Ward
David Arthur Ward, 76, the husband of the Rev. Ruth Ann (Miller) Ward, died Oct. 16, 2011, six months after a diagnosis of lung cancer. A service of celebration was held at Cleversburg UMC in Shippensburg, Pa., May 19, 2012. Interment, with full military honors, was at Arlington National Cemetery May 18.
He was a graduate of Binghampton State School of Nursing, and as a Registered Nurse, he served in the US Army from 1958-1979, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded a Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam. From 1972-1975, he was Assistant Chief Nurse at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, Inc., the National Honor Society of Nursing.
His marriage to Barbara Ward ended in divorce. They had three daughters who survive.
In 1980, he became a trusted servant in the fellowship begun by Bill W. and Dr. Bob S., which he gratefully embraced until his death.
He married Nancy Spong in November 1981 and worked in various places, including the Maryland Health Department Probation and Parole in Prince Georges County, where he handled addictions. He was a psychology clinical instructor at Prince Georges Community College.
In 1996, Pastor Nancy Ward was appointed to Paw Paw UMC, and David Ward was a regular substitute teacher and was elected to the town council. She died in 2002.
In September 2003, he and the Rev. Ruth Ann Miller were married. They were active together in Volunteer in Mission programs, including Moscow, Russia, the Hopi Reservation in Arizona and Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. After her retirement in 2006, they continued mission trips, including to Mississippi and Louisiana to assist Hurricane Katrina survivors. He believed that “Service is the rent we pay for our place here on earth,” she said.
Ward was a member of the Lion’s Club, Military Order of the World Wars, Military Officers Association of America, Army Nurses Corp, Kentucky Colonels and Cleversburg UMC.
The Wards' most recent trip was to Alaska where Ruth served as an Interim Pastor and David volunteered at a mental health clinic.
Survivors include his wife; daughters Kathy La Valla, Eileen Ward and Laura Daniels; stepson Wayne Spong; eight grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
Condolences may be sent to Rev. Ruth Ann Ward, 26 Lantern Lane, Shippensburg, PA 17257-8769.
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