John J. Ward

John J. Ward, Sr. entered eternal rest Friday morning, July 10, 2026, at his home in Oil City at the age of 102 ½.

John was born at home in Oil City on January 20, 1924. He was the son of the late John

W. Ward and Margaret Finnegan Ward. On January 27, 1947, he married Betty Ruth

Brandon and they were married 72 years at the time of Betty’s passing. Together, they devoted their lives to faithfully serving the Lord.

John attended local schools and lived in Oil City all his life. He enlisted into the Army on July 18, 1942 during WWII. He served with the 405th AAA Battalion in Europe, earning the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, and the Belgian Fourragère award.

Mr. Ward was a steelworker at J&L, LTV, and Van Huffel for 39 ½ years and was the last

man out the door when the business closed. He was a dedicated member of the Oil City Wesleyan Methodist Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent, on the Sunday School Board, and on the Board of Trustees. “His Lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23

John is survived by his 3 children: John (wife Shirley) Ward Jr., Joyce (husband Jim)

Klapec, and Janice Osten. He will be greatly missed by 4 grandchildren: John J. (Carrie) Ward III, Timothy (Emily) Klapec, Julie (Gordon) Ward, and Kristin (Josh) Bean, and two step grandchildren, Danny Osten and Rhonda Watson. His memory will be cherished by his 5 great-grandchildren: Maren, Colton, Easton, Katelyn, and Eliza, as well as 9 great-stepgrandchildren, Adam, Alyssa, Joshua, Patrick, Cameron, Dudley, Thaddaeus, Alfred, and Helen.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the caregivers that helped keep John in his own home all these years: Rhonda McElhaney, Nancy Hines, Jeff Smith, Helen Welch, and Vickie Skiba. They would also like to thank the VNA Hospice and the staff from Home Instead.

The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be Monday, July

13th from 6-8pm and Tuesday July 14th from 10-11 am. A funeral service will follow visitation on Tuesday at 11am. The V.E.T.S. Honor Guard will accord full military honors following the service. Burial will be at the Shaw Farm Cemetery

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