Jack A. Ward, II

Jack A. Ward, II age 63, of New Bavaria, died Sunday morning, June 26, 2022 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo.

He was born December 6, 1958 in Van Wert, OH to Jack and Sue (Rettig) Ward. Jack was blessed by the love and support of his grandparents, Ollie and Dorothy Rettig, where he grew up in Holgate and graduated from Holgate High School and Four County Joint Vocational School in 1977.  Jack started at Arrow Molded Plastics on the day after graduation, starting work in his interview clothes. Arrow later became LDM where Jack became Materials Manager. Jack also worked for MBM, Stykemain, United Medical Systems and the New Bavaria mill. Jack was a former Mayor of Holgate, during which the first Eyes to the Skies was conceived, and served on the Village Council for Holgate and New Bavaria. Jack played semi-pro football in the late 70s for the Liberty Center Bengals, played softball for the Holgate Dairy Bar in the 80s and 90s, bowled on many mens and couples teams and golfed in several leagues over the years. Jack loved the Green Bay Packers, Ohio State Buckeyes and Detroit Tigers. Jack was an Assistant Football Coach for Holgate High School, loved rock music, Friends, and anything dog-related. Jack was a member of Sons of AMVETS Post 599 and the Moose Lodge.

Jack married Lynne (Ricker) January 20, 1989 in Holgate. In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by sons Nick (Nichole Croninger), McClure and Adam, New Bavaria and daughter Kaitlin (Derek) Faber, Holgate; three grandsons Jaxson (Jumpin'), Hudson (Hawk) and Anderson (Sparky) Faber and one granddaughter Baylee Croninger; sister, Lorri Bowser, Maumee and brother Paul (Corrie) Ziegler,  Crittenden, KY; many nieces and nephews and our pup Kaline Allie Ward. Jack was a friend to many. Preceding him in death were his parents, grandparents, and brother-in-law, Dirk Bowser and our pup Jenny Gump Ward.

Friends will be received in the Zachrich Family Funeral Home, 114 William Street for a celebration of Jack’s life on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 2-7:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations to the Eyes to the Skies fireworks fund in memory of Jack.