Ward Ransford, age 80, of Eddyville, Iowa passed away Monday, November 24, 2014, at the Ottumwa Regional Health Care. Visitation for Ward will be open to the public after 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 28, 2014 at the Eddyville Funeral Chapel. Ward’s family will be present from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday evening. Ward’s wishes were to be cremated after his visitation and his memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 29th at the Eddyville Funeral Chapel. Burial with military honors will be at Highland Cemtery and provided by the V.F.W., post #775 and the American Legion, Post #3 Ward was born on March 31, 1934, in Oacoma, South Dakota. He was the son of Otto J. and Mildred Irene (Ponton) Ransford. Ward was raised in Oacoma and attended Oacoma High School. Ward served his country in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War. Ward and Marilyn Jean Brown were united in marriage. Ward and Marilyn were blessed with three sons: Tony, Bryan and Monty. They later divorced. On August 2, 1976 in Mitchell, South Dakota Ward and Mary Ann DeGeus were united in marriage. Ward and Mary Ann shared 38 years of marriage before Ward’s passing. Ward drove truck his entire working career. He retired in 1992. Ward also served in the Iowa National Guard, 224th Engineers Battalion from 1956 to1983. Ward enjoyed deer, pheasant and elk hunting, his cabin along the river and he especially enjoyed his family and coffee time at BP with friends. Ward was a devoted veteran. He was a lifetime member and past and current commander of the V.F.W., Walter B. Schafer Post #775, 52 year member and past commander of the American legion, O.B. Nelson Post #3, Past State Commander of the Department of Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars, Past Commander of Supreme 9th District Military order of Cooties, and Sons of the American Legion Member. He is also a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge #74, and a Zi-Ga-Zig Shriner. Ward is survived by his wife Mary Ann Ransford of Eddyville; three sons, Tony (Julie) Ransford of Eddyville, Bryan (Tina) Ransford of Minco, OK, and Monty (Tracie) Ransford of Kirkville; seven grandchildren, Amber Garber, Dana (Brandon) Pace, Heidi (Clint) Pearson, Terri (Sam) Bankson, Cory (Ashley) Ransford, Trey (Brittany) Bankson and Bowen Young; and 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Shawn Miller; and four brothers. Memorials may be given to Ward’s family and will be established at a later date. Condolences may be sent to www.eddyvillefuneralchapel.com. The Eddyville Funeral Chapel is assisting Ward’s family with services.