Dennis Wayne Ward, 73, of Ashville, OH, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on September 02, 2026. Dennis passed after a long battle with esophageal cancer. He was a devoted and cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, and brother. He will be deeply missed by all of those who knew him.
Dennis was born on May 30, 1954, in Whitewater, WI to Dan and Phyllis Ward. Dennis grew up in a family of five children with two incredibly loving and devoted parents. He spent his childhood working on his family’s dairy farm, tinkering with any motor he could get his hands on, and causing as much trouble as he could. After moving to Ohio, Dennis graduated from Hilliard Darby High School with the class of 1972. If you ever had a conversation with him as an adult, Dennis was probably able to convince you that he was a doctor, lawyer, accountant, or carpenter. In reality, Dennis was a Car Salesman and General Manager at multiple car dealerships throughout the years. When he wasn’t working, he was rebuilding muscle cars, fishing (preferably in the Ocean), watching football, and spending time with his family and friends. His favorite thing to do once retired was traveling to the beach in North Carolina with his wife Joan and their coon hound Bello. They would go multiple times a year and he would spend his time there eating all the seafood he could and doing as much ocean fishing as possible.
Dennis is preceded in death by his father Dan Ward, his sister Carol Ward Wilson, and his brother Patrick Ward. And survived by his wife of 23 years Joan Wallace Ward. His mother Phyllis Ward. His sisters Nancy Carson Edwards (John) and Natalie Ward-Dodson (Carol). His children Christina Ward-Seaburn (Kyle) Elizabeth Pyles (Bob), Amanda Chinn (Corey), Nichole Burns and Cordell Wallace (Ashley). His grandchildren: Dalton Cunningham, Jacob Pyles, Haley Pyles (Griffin), Joshua Pyles (Megan), Cody Armentrout (Dani), Kennedy Shriver, Harlei Shriver, Bristyl Chinn, Hayleigh Haddox (Matthew), Madisyn Burns, Mackenzie Burns, Parker Hodge, Cole Wallace, Kade Wallace, and Abel Wallace. And his great-grandchildren Zayn Chavis, Theodore Wise, Oliver Wise, Kelli Pyles, Paige Kemmerer, Kylan Shriver, Kali Marcum, and Kashtyn Shriver.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 6th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. with Chaplain Kathleen Kisner presiding at Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 West Main St. Ashville, OH 43103. A gathering will follow at the Ashville Knights of Pythias Palmetto Lodge 513, 15 Rail St. Ashville, OH 43103 for a meal and memories.
Dennis has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Perry County Cancer Alliance / The Kat Foundation. Checks can be mailed to 4378 Township Rd. 130 Corning, OH 43730.
Dennis’ family wishes to thank THE Ohio State James Cancer Center, and Capital City Hospice for all of their support and care through this difficult time.
Online condolences at olivercheekfuneralhome.com
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home.