Melva J. Ward
Melva J. Ward, 79, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2015, at her home in Maquoketa, Iowa. A celebration of Melva's life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Monday, March 2, 2015, at the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa. Melva J. Burnett was born on August 6, 1935, in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Melvin M. and Vera Mae (McPherson) Burnett. She attended Maquoketa High School, graduating in 1953. Melva married Wilbur L. Ward in June of 1953, to this marriage were born their sons, Douglas, Kevin and David. They later divorced. Later in her life, Melva and George Young were long time companions until George's passing in 1983. Melva had worked many factory and waitress jobs in her youth. She entered the health care field in the early 1960's, working as a nurse's aide at Jane Lamb Hospital in Clinton and the Jackson County Public Hospital in Maquoketa. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, she had worked at the Davenport Osteopathic Hospital and finally at the University of Iow...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
ospital in Iowa City where she became a Registered Nurse and retired after more than 15 years of service. Melva loved mystery novels, music boxes, and her collection of American Indian related items. She enjoyed listening to country music and reading about history. Those left to honor Melva's memory include her children, Douglas Ward of Buffalo, IA, Kevin Ward of Coggon, IA and David Ward of West Des Moines, IA; 4 grandchildren; a brother, Charles "Chuck" (Donna) Burnett of Maquoketa, IA; and a sister, Karol (Lionel) Keeney of Maquoketa, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband Wilbur, her long-time companion George, 2 brothers Allen and Richard, and 1 infant sister Helen Burnett. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Melva J. Ward memorial fund has been established. Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
