Obituary: Ward, Melvin D.
Age 89
He was born May 4, 1925 in Priest River, Idaho to Virgil and Louise (Loiselle) Ward.
Melvin attended Rogers High School in Spokane, WA.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and saw combat during World War II; witnessing the six fellow marines who raised the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.
He was engaged in helping with the offensive against the remaining enemy combatants who were part of the pockets of resistance.
On January 27, 1951, Melvin married Gladys E. Barnett in Cashmere, WA.
They had two daughters: Meladie (Jamie) Holder of Newman Lake, WA, and Roxanne (Ron) Lund of Spokane, WA.
Mel made his living by helping to build Rocky Reach Dam; and through employment as a foreman in the orchard business.
He and Gladys were married for almost 40 years, until her passing on November 20, 1990.
A little over a year later, he married Arilla Mae; they resided in Wenatchee, WA until her death on March 18, 2005.
Melvin then moved to Spokane to be near his daughters and their families.
He lived independently for some time, until he moved to Parkway Village (Emeritus) for the final eight years of his life, before becoming ill. Melvin is preceded in death by his daughter, Roxanne Lund of Spokane, WA; and his brother Virgil Ward of Fall City, WA.
He is survived by his daughter, Meladie (Jamie) Holder of Newman Lake, WA; his sisters: Naomi (Everett) Hunt of Moses Lake, WA, Sylvia Hunt of Newberg, OR, Annette Young of Arlington, TX, Beverly Gentle of Tomball, TX, Sarah Johnson of Yakima, WA, Joy Breitmeyer of Ephrata, WA; his brother, Jack (Rose) Ward of Yakima, WA; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1 pm on Friday, May 16, 2014 at Cashmere Cemetery in Cashmere, WA.
Please visit Melvin’s online memorial at www.hennesseyfunerallhomes.com, and leave a message of condolence.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: