Wards honored at dinner gala for 50th anniversary

XCORTLAND -- Mr. and Mrs. John O. Ward of 2898 McCleary-Jacoby Road were the guests of honor Oct. 26 at a dinner party at Vernon's Restaurant in Niles on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary.
Hosts for the festivity were the couple's children and their spouses, Dawn and Edward Durica of Bristolville, John and Lee Ann Ward of Columbus and Judi Kelley of Cortland. Also participating were the couple's six grandchildren.
Mr. Ward and the former Elaine Crain were married Oct. 25, 1952, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Warren, where they are members and have served in various capacities with the Sunday school, church council, choir, male chorus, Lutheran Church Women and Brotherhood, Ladies Aid and Happy Marks.
Mr. Ward retired in 1996 from Danieli Wean, where he was superintendent of manufacturing. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
His wife retired in 1992 from the U.S. Postal Service. She had served as superintendent at the Cortland post office for several years and then as postmaster in West Farmington.