PETE WARD

SIKESTON -- Martin Jewell "Pete" Ward, 85, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

He was born Aug. 4, 1914, at East Prairie, son of George and Frances Underwood Ward. He and Vernia Lorene Westmoland were married Feb. 15, 1936, at Charleston. She died Sept. 17, 1985.

Ward had been a custodian at Southwest Elementary School in Sikeston. He lived in Sikeston most of his life. He was a member of Eagles Aerie 3319.

Survivors include eight sons, Martin Ward Jr., Sherman, Roger, Lonnie, Donnie and Roy Ward, all of Sikeston, James Ward of Rockford, Ill., Charles Ward of Oran; two daughters, Ola Pruett of Coos Bay, Ore., Alice Ward of Sikeston; a sister, Elizabeth Gentry of Scott City; a niece reared in the home, Mary Pruett of Poplar Bluff; 31 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a son, two daughters, four brothers, two sisters, a granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at Blanchard Funeral Chapel after 11 a.m. Friday.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the chapel, with Dennis Cebulak officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.