Daniel Ward

Daniel Van Ward, 61, of Carmi, Illinois died Tuesday, February 7 at his home.  He was born July 31, 1955 in Carmi to Van and Georgia (Roser) Ward.  Danny attended school in both Carmi and later in Enfield, Illinois.  He was an outstanding athlete in grade school and high school and had a personality larger than life.  His knowledge of music trivia from his “era” could not be matched. He was a huge Dallas Cowboy fan. He had a special talent for sales and spent much of his adult life selling trucks and trailers.  Danny had a wide customer base and had built friendships across the country with his personal service and extraordinary personality, as he shared his expertise in his trade.  He will be missed by many.

He is survived by his sister, Melanie Allyn, of Carmi; a niece, Sara McKinniss (Jonny) of Bloomington, Indiana, a nephew, Jason Organ (Danielle) of McLeansboro, Illinois, two nieces, Georgia Kate McKinniss and Emory Sloane Organ; several aunts and uncles, Ted and Ruth Ann Smith, Paul and Marilyn Ward, and Lillian R. Boehringer, all of Carmi, and Donald LaFond, and wife Judy, of Topeka, Kansas.  He is also survived by a very special friend, Phyllis (Wayne) Daniel and several cousins as well.

Danny was preceded in death by his father, Van Ward, Enfield, his mother, Georgia Ward, Carmi, and an aunt, Mary Ellen LaFond of Topeka, Kansas.

A brief memorial service will be held at Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a private family burial at Big Prairie Cemetery and a family dinner at the Social House in Carmi.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pets At Risk, P0 Box 2, Carmi, Illinois. Online condolences may be left at stendebackfamilyfuneralhome.com