John J. “Jack” Ware, 86, of Newton died Wednesday, May 17, 2006, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. A funeral service will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton with the Rev. Merle Smith, chaplain of Skiff Medical Center, officiating. Burial will be at Newton Union Cemetery. Friends may call after noon Friday at the funeral home, where the family will be available until the time of the service. Memorials will be accepted in his name. The son of Joshua and Arilla (Pitcock) Ware, he was born Nov. 1, 1919, in Des Moines. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1938. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. On Nov. 3, 1944, he married Marilyn Lynne Little in Newton. He worked as a purchasing agent for Automatic Washer for 13 years and worked for 33 years for the Vernon Company, where he retired in 1990 as a supervisor. Mr. Ware was an I Club member, Izaak Walton League 2004 National Member of the Year and a life member of the VFW Post 1655 and American Legion Post 111. He was a member of the American Legion Firing Squad and also was a 50-year member of the First Lutheran Church. He was an Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed fishing. Survivors include his wife; a son, Gary D. Ware of Newton; and one grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James Ware and Vernon Ware; and four sisters, Hazel Russell, Della Wilson, Evelyn Highley and Betty Swain.

Source:  Newton Daily News, The (IA) – Thursday, May 18, 2006