Mr. James Elmer "Jim" Ward

James Elmer "Jim" Ward, age 95, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Ames Family Hospice in Westlake, Ohio following a brief illness. Jim was born on June 15, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio to Esther Wilhelmena Ward (nee Schnell) and Orval John Ward. He was a June 1943 graduate of James Ford Rhodes High School in Cleveland. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from August 1943 to May 1946. While aboard the U.S.S. West Virginia (BB-48), a Colorado class dreadnought battleship, Jim participated in six battles in the South Pacific and witnessed the unconditional surrender of the Japanese forces to the Allies on the deck of the battleship U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Following his service to his country, Jim owned and operated the Acme Stamp Company in Cleveland, manufacturing rubber stamps and providing engraving and printing services. In 1979 Jim merged and partnered his company with the Royal Stamp Company in Cleveland, becoming the Royal Acme Corp. He was also a member of the Cleveland Marking Devices Association. Jim retired in 1993 after 47 years in the industry. Jim was a longtime, faithful Lutheran and was a member of Unity Lutheran Church in Cleveland, St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Parma, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cleveland, participating in many activities like the Church Men's Club, Concordia Couples Group, Church Usher, Church Council Member, Church Secretary, Lutheran Veteran's Club Member, and Lutheran Fraternities of America Member. Jim was an active retiree and worked as a Docent at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and assisted in delivering Meals on Wheels. He also enjoyed model railroading and garden railroading, golfing, and completing 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles. Jim is survived by his daughters Debi Fronius of Strongsville, Ohio and Sandy Mayich of Barwick, Georgia; stepchildren Kathy Schnell, Jenny Peresta (Margaret Nunley), and Gary Peresta (Kim); grandchildren A.J. Kirkpatrick, Nick Fronius, and Joe Fronius; step-grandchildren Samantha Schnell, Erika Ussai (Robert), Nicholas Peresta, Andrew Peresta, Levi Peresta, Nelson Peresta, and Bela Peresta; and step-great-granddaughter Sydney Ussai. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years Ruth Louise Ward (nee Bauman) in October 1991, and by his wife of 22 years Dorothy Jane Ward (nee Gilbert) in March 2015; his infant son Douglas Charles Ward in February 1957; his daughter Lyn Sydenstricker (Bill, surviving) in September 2012; and his mother Esther in August 1969 and his father Orval in December 1991. The family will receive friends at the BABITT-BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 9350 Ridge Road, North Royalton, from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, May 14, 2021. Funeral service at the funeral home on Saturday, May 15 at 11:00am. Interment with U.S. Navy honors will follow at Brooklyn Heights Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. Although flowers are appreciated, the family prefers memorial contributions be forwarded to the Hospice of the Western Reserve Ames Family Hospice House, 17876 Saint Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44110 www.hospicewr.org. BUSCH FUNERAL and CREMATORY SERVICES 440-842-7800 www.buschcares.com