Kermit Ward

Kermit V Ward passed away Thursday, October 6th, 2016 at 1:30pm in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 89. He was born September 28th, 1927 in Riley, Indiana, the son of Wayne and Olive (Hathorn) Ward. He graduated in 1945 from Wiley High School in Terre Haute, Indiana and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps serving overseas in the Philippines & Okinawa. After his military service he returned home to Terre Haute, Indiana to work for Kroger grocery stores for 18 years. He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to work as the head of maintenance, and property manager at The University Club Tower. He continued on to work as a business manager for various thriving businesses in Tulsa for the remainder of his career. He was an accomplished jack-of-all-trades, a 32nd degree Mason, and a lifelong member of the Riley Indiana Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed spending time with family, telling stories, caring for his pets, and was known throughout his life -- both in business and by family and friends -- as a source of wisdom and wonderful advice.

Memorial services will be held at 2pm on Tuesday October 11, 2016 in the Shipman's Funeral Home Chapel. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to your favorite charity in memory of Kermit. To leave his family a message, please visit his Book of Memories at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service.

He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Patsy Crow Castleberry Ward; one son, Mark (Kelly) Castleberry of Broken Arrow, OK two daughters, Sherry Ward and Kathy (Mark) Belsaas, both of New Carlisle, IN; five grandchildren, Matthew (Desma) Belsaas of Indianapolis, IN, Kari (Michael) Bumgardner of Granger, IN; and Courtney, Brianna and Addison Castleberry of Broken Arrow, OK; as well as 4 great grandchildren, Caroline and Jack Bumgardner of Granger, IN, and Odin and Maren Belsaas of Indianapolis, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Olive Ward, and his sister Martha Ripple.

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