Adams 1954 Ward K Doolen

Condolences

Feb. 21, 1936 - Feb. 5, 2017

SOUTH BEND - Ward K. Doolen passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, Feb. 5th, 2017.

He was a lifelong resident of South Bend where he lived with his loving wife, Faith Doolen. Ward was born on Feb. 21, 1936, to Keith and Gladys Doolen. He graduated from John Adams High School in 1954 before joining the U.S. Navy. In the Navy he studied optometry which became his career. Ward was a member of the American Legion Post #303 and the Loyal Order of Moose #57. He had also been a member of the Elks Lodge #235. In his free-time Ward enjoyed socializing with friends at the City Limits and other local favorite places. He loved to sing his favorite Nat King Cole songs and you could always count on hearing his latest joke. Ward was the best joke teller, and kept us laughing until his final moments.

He was preceded in death by his parents, by his brother, Don Doolen, and by his former wife, Mary Jane Doolen.

Surviving Ward are his wife, Faith Doolen, her daughter, Hope Oliva, and children, Christian and Isabella, and his siblings, Virginia (Don) Rockhill and Lonny Doolen. Also left behind to cherish his memory are his daughter, Renee (Kevin) Heffner; granddaughters, Janiece and Kaley Ray; his daughter, Jennifer (Jack) Floyd; grandsons, CJ Taylor, Jackson and Jenson Floyd; and his beloved niece, Christy (Jeff) Ragland; as well as many other friends and relatives.

Visitation will be on Friday, February 10, 2017, from 10 am - 1 pm in The Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd., with services and burial at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park to follow. Military Honors will be rendered at cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

E-mail condolences may be made at www.welsheimer.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Feb. 8, 2017

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=ward-k-doolen&pid=184064788&fhid=24905&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.oWU3DonF.dpuf