Loyd Earl Ward, 83, passed away Friday, November 3, 2023, at his residence in Coldwater, KS.  Born October 9, 1940, at Wilmore, KS, he was the son of Loyd and Elsie M. (Ray) Ward.

Earl graduated from Wilmore High School in Wilmore, KS in 1958, where he played on the basketball team.  He completed Barber School in Oklahoma City, OK, and worked there as a barber.  He worked as a welder in Fairview, OK, before returning to Coldwater, KS, where he worked as a welder and later in life as the maintenance man at the Prairie Plaza Apartments.  He attended First Christian Church in Coldwater, KS.

In 1961, he married Rebecca Reynolds.  She preceded him in death in 1980.  He married Donella "Donna" Gilpin in 1982.  She survives.

In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson: Sam Ward; and three stepdaughters: Sandy, Cheryl, and Joyce.

He is survived by his wife: Donna Ward of Coldwater, KS; one son: Kevin Joe Ward (Sandy) of Crescent, OK; one daughter: Tami Pheatt of Coldwater, KS; three stepchildren: Teri Shope of Colorado, Dale Robinson of Colorado, and Ryan Robinson of Iowa; one brother: William Ward (Lou) of Texas; one sister: Sharon Reese of Kansas; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Earl Ward Memorial Fund in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.

A Come and Go Celebration of Life Visitation for Earl Ward will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Coldwater Veteran's Building, 239 E. Main, Coldwater, KS.