Johnnie Ward

Funeral service for Johnnie Ward, 94, of Wister will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at Church of the Nazarene in Wister with Rev. Jerry Townley officiating.

Pallbearers will be Ricky Carpenter, Tim Evans, Trenton Sanders, Zac Taylor, Blake Evans and Rick Farmer.

Burial will follow at Ellis Chapel Cemetery, Wister under the direction of Evans and Miller Funeral Home, Poteau.

The greatest father in this world left for heaven Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at 3:35 a.m.

Johnnie was born March 10, 1928, in Newton, Texas, to Lucille Ward-Runnels and John Henry Ward.

He was a man of few words but many actions of love and kindness. He never met a person he didn’t like and shared his love of Jesus to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Ward, son Richard J. Ward, two brothers and five sisters.

He was in the Air Force for 26 years. He was a training instructor and touched thousands of lives.

Johnnie coached Little League in Germany, taking his team to the European Finals. He also coached Pony League in San Antonio, Texas.

He worked and retired from the Poteau Post Office.

Johnnie owned the “Singing Pines Limousine Ranch” and had the first registered limousine cattle in this area. He loved to fish in his ponds and other places.

He was a loving father, grandfather and greatgrandfather. Johnnie was a devoted husband to his wife, Mary. He was a longtime member of the Wister Church of the Nazarene where he served on the board and was Sunday School superintendent for many years. He loved the church and its members. He loved to give and receive hugs.

Survivors include son Johnnie D. Ward and wife Annette, three daughters Shela Andrews and husband John, Rebecca J. Evans and husband Michael and Nancy Hutton and husband Sheldon, 10 grandchildren Kerri Skelton, Kristi Ward, John Feidl, Denise Rowe, Dawn Miller, Tim Evans, Tiffany English, Ricky Carpenter, Mary Farmer and Rachal Reddin, 23 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, numerous other relatives and loved ones.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at Evans and Miller Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:

Wister Church of the Nazarene, 401 E. Highland Avenue, Wister, OK 74966

You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.