Gene D. Ward, 85, of Arnold died May 19, 2019, with his family by his side. Mr. Ward was born and raised in Arkansas and then lived in many areas following his father’s sawmill business. He got polio at the young age of 3, but never let that hold him down. He loved to fish, hunt and was excellent at pool, which led his dear friend Dave Innis to give him the nickname, “Minnesota Slim.” He was always up for a good argument. He worked for the same trucking company for 39-plus years through many name changes, with the last being Preston Trucking. He was extremely proud of being a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Chapter 3678 in Arnold. He proudly served the club for 42 years, holding an office there for many, most recently 10 years as treasurer. He was to be reinstalled to that office the day he died. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family and friends. Born Sept. 8, 1933, in Newport, Ark., he was the son of the late Mitchell and Inez Ward.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years: Linda L. (Bryant) Ward; four children: Donna (Mel) Verbeck, Tish (Gary) Wendt, Paula Stein, and Mary (Jeffrey) Becher; 13 grandchildren: Kathryn (Katy) Verbeck, Melvyn Verbeck II, Stephanie Verbeck, Sean Verbeck, Alex Wendt, Jennifer Stein , Matt Milka, Molly Burgert, Austin Burgert, Evan Becher, Allison Agnew, Justin Agnew and Lily Becher; seven great-grandchildren: Melvyn Verbeck III, Henry Verbeck, Nolan Milka, Evelyn Milka, Cason Burgert, Reed Burgert, Hannah Agnew and one on the way; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Dale Ward and Bill Ward; three special brothers-in-law: Colonel Swiney, Bill Bryant and Ronald Bryant; four special sisters-in-law: Barbara (Tootie) Swiney, Edith Bryant, Emma Davis and Bobbie French; one special nephew-in-law: John Gleghorn; and a longtime co-worker and friend: Russ Williams.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today, today, May 23 at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road, in south St. Louis County. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, May 24, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Lemay. Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes St. Louis Chapter or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Hoffmeister Funeral Home.