Ward Stewart Eicher

July 14, 2017

Just before midnight at Oakwood Manor, on July 9, 2017, God graciously took my husband, our father and grandfather, Ward Stewart Eicher, home to be with Him.

Ward Stewart Eicher was born August 24, 1923 to Leland Herald and Hannah Johnson Eicher on August 24, 1923 at home in Ithaca, Michigan. He was the second child in a family of 10 children. At the age of 16, Ward answered the call of God and was baptized at the Senora Hall in Summerdale, Alabama, by Minister Harry Wenger. These vows meant much to him and he was faithful to them to the end. Ward went to 1W Service at the age of 21. He served with the Forestry Department in Fort Collins, Colorado,  and Sequoia National Park, California. These years held special memories for him.

On February 23, 1947, Ward married Dolly May Holdeman, at the Senora Hall in Summerdale, Alabama. They enjoyed seventy wonderful years together. In 1949, they moved to the new vongregation in Walnut Hill, Florida. Here they built up their dairy farm with hard work and muscle. Ward and Dolly welcomed two sons and four daughters to their home. He was a loving father and husband. We as children remember our Dad as a spiritual father with a very positive outlook on life. He was a good provider and a hard worker. Singing was an important part of his life. He was a song leader for much of his life and taught us to love music too. His prayers were a meaningful part of his life and were an inspiration to all of us.

In July 1973, we as a family lost our youngest son and brother, Glenn Allen, age eight, in a tragic farm accident. It was a heart-breaking time for us and we all look forward to meeting him in heaven.

During the 1990’s, Ward and Dolly spent time in voluntary service in New York City, Gallup, New Mexico; Homestead, Florida; Albany, Georgia and Albuquerque, New Mexico. They have many good memories of these times and learned to love the many young people that gave their time in service.

In their later years of life, August 2010, Ward and Dolly built a cottage at Oakwood Manor. They enjoyed the past seven years in this close-knit community of Brooksville, Mississippi. They gratefully benefited from the loving care and the positive environment of the manor.

Missing him are his loving wife, Dolly; one son: Greg and wife Rita, Fountain Run, Kentucky; four daughters: Vicki and husband Greg Benner, Newbern, Alabama; June and husband Gale Unruh, Fountain Run, Kentucky; Rosalie and husband Galen Schmidt, Walnut Hill, Florida; Andrea and husband Galen Harms, Century, Florida; and a Gallup daughter who became a part of our family, Lana and husband Amos Yost, Montezuma, Kansas. Eighteen grandchildren and
thirty great-grandchildren. Three sisters: Eunice Smith, Oakwood Manor; Imo and Wilbert Peters, and Althea Dyck, all of Walnut Hill, Florida. Three brothers: Willie and Lois Eicher, Wallace and Judy Eicher, Wendell and Mary Eicher, all of Walnut Hill, Florida; one sister-inlaw, Wanetta and Mel Huxman, of Moundridge, Kansas, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ward was preceded in death by one son, parents, parents-in- law, two sisters, one brother, five brother-in- laws, and three sister-in- laws.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support they have received from the many friends and caregivers at Oakwood Manor.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Comments

One Response to “Ward Stewart Eicher”

  1. Cathy Egan Spears on July 23rd, 2017 12:03 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Eicher, but am happy that he now rests in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior. My condolences to his family.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries