Richard L. Ward, 77, formerly of Brookston, died Saturday, December 4, 2004 at Miller's Merry Manor in Lagrange.

He was born June 28, 1927 in Grass Creek, to Albert and Martha (Knapp) Ward. He married Barbara "Sue" Vanberbilt on October 11, 1947 in Brookston. She died in March 1999.

He was a 1945 graduate of Brookston High School.

He was a lifelong Brookston resident and had lived in Lagrange since 1999.

He was a lifelong farmer of both grain and livestock. He was a custodian for Frontier Elementary School from 1986 to 1999.

He was a member of the American Angus Association and received the Pioneer Breeder Award at the 2002 All American Angus Breeders' Futurity Roll of Victory Show in Louisville.:

Survivors include his children, Jim (Mary Lou) Ward of Palmyra, Wis., Steve (Marie) Ward of Avon, Jean (Mark) Oneal of Wanatah, Jack (Mary Ann) Ward of Plattsburg, Mo., and Becky (Rob) Knott of Laotto; brothers John (Norma) Ward of Brookston and Dale (Linda) Ward of Mulberry; a sister, Mary Guiffre of Detroit; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Sons Roger and Thomas Ward are deceased

Funeral services were Tuesday at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home in Brookston with Rev. Dr. Lelan D. McReynolds officiating.

Interment was at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Cemetery, West Lafayette.

Memorials may be made to the American Angus Foundation, 3201 Fredrick Ave., Saint Joseph, Mo 64506.