Ward Eugene Strock

NILES - Ward Eugene Strock, 91, passed away peacefully at 2:50pm, Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the Hospice House in Poland following a brief illness. Ward was born in Vienna, Virginia on October 4, 1926 the son of Olney and Arvilla (Louden) Strock. Ward graduated from high school in Pierpont, Ohio, and enlisted into the United States Army on July 26, 1945. He was honorably discharged on January 12, 1947, as a technician fifth grade, Company A 3160th Signal Service Battalion Veteran. He received the Army Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in Niles retiring after 30 years of service. Ward and Bertha were longtime, active members of the First Baptist Church in Niles. After retirement, Ward and his wife Bertha served at Clydehurst Christian Ranch in Montana, then with Teen Missions at Merritt Island, Florida, for 12 years during the winter months. For 16 summers, they served at Camp Patmos on Kelley's Island in Lake Erie. Patmos named one of their cabins Strock Lodge, honoring Ward and Bertha for their many years of service at the camp. Ward was preceded in death by his wife Bertha Irene (Russell) Strock whom he married June 23, 1951, at Evansville Baptist Church. After 66 years of a beautiful marriage, Bertha passed away on July 11, 2017. Besides his parents, a brother Paul Robert Strock and a sister, Leah Genevieve Kline, also preceded him in death. Ward is survived by five children, Debra Lynne Strock of Kentwood, Michigan, Mark Eugene (Elizabeth) Strock of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Steven Leroy (Christie) Strock of Helena, Montana, Laurie Sue Strock of Niles, Jeanine Anne Strock of Kentwood, Michigan; six grandchildren Sarah (Sean) Shallbetter, Erik Strock; Jeffrey, Bradley, Gregory, and Jessica Strock. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Niles in the Spring. Contributions, in Ward and Bertha's memory, may be made to Camp Patmos, 920 Monagan Road, Kelley's Island, Ohio 43438. Funeral arrangements are by the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home 126 West Park Avenue, Niles, Ohio 44446.

Memorial Service

MAY 5. 11:00 AM (EDT)

First Baptist Church 26 East Church Street Niles, OH 44446