John "Jack" Thomas Ward, 86, Norton, died Friday, March 12, 2010, at his home.

He was born Feb. 15, 1924, in Norton to Thomas and Margaret (Steele) Ward.

He married Esther Patterson on Sept. 26, 1949, in Norton. He owned and operated Jack Wards Sporting Goods, Norton. He served in the South Pacific with the Marines during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; three sons, Stan, Edmond, Okla., Mark, Springfield, Mo., and Dave, Erie, Colo.; a daughter, Susan, Springfield; four sisters, Beth Gebhart, Valley Center, Calif., Kathleen Hudson, Ellsworth, Patsy Lucas, Louisville, Colo., and Dorothy Colip, Green Valley, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Norton; inurnment in Norton Cemetery, with military honors by Norton American Legion.

Memorials are suggested to Jack Ward Memorial Fund for local charities in care of Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.olliffboeve.com.