Ward Lavern Smeltzer

September 6, 1937 - January 19, 2022

Ward Lavern Smeltzer, 84, Goshen, went to meet his loving Savior at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at Goshen Hospital. He was born September 6, 1937, in Wakarusa, to Guy & Marie O. (Leatherman) Smeltzer. On October 6, 1956, he married R. “Jean” (Myers) Smeltzer. Surviving are his wife, Jean, Goshen, daughter, Dianna (Robert J.) Koelndorfer, Mishawaka, 2 grandchildren, Christopher Koelndorfer, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Brooke Koelndorfer, New York City, New York, 2 step-grandchildren, Andrew (Brittiney) Koelndorfer, Griffith, Michael (Liz) Koelndorfer, Niceville, Florida, 1 great-grandchild, Riley Koelndorfer, Niceville, Florida, 2 sisters, Echo Ignafol, Auburn, Michigan and Shirley Morris, Florida. Preceding him in death are his parents, 4 brothers, Firm, Ivan, Vance & Keith Smeltzer and 3 sisters, Opal Popke, Vera Miller & Rita Artley. Ward served in the Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was discharged in 1962. He was a welder for Goshen Stamping, retiring in 2010. Ward was a member of Prairieview Missionary Church and the American Legion, Middlebury. He was an avid golfer, had his pilot license and bowled in several leagues. Ward was a lead singer for Freedom Airs & Inspirationals and served as a Sunday School teacher. Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Friday, January 28, 2022, at Rieth Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St., Goshen, and one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Prairieview Missionary Church, 2612 Dierdorff Road, Goshen. Pastor Philip Jerome will officiate. Burial will follow at Elkhart Prairie Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to Prairieview Missionary Church. Online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com