C. Russell Ward, 88, of Crisfield, died on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at McCready Health.

Born in Crisfield September 13, 1928, he was a son of the late Weldon William Ward and Lena Elizabeth "Lizzie" Daugherty Ward. His wife of 63 years, Janet Lee Marshall Ward died December 23, 2012.

He formerly worked at the former Briddell's Cutlery, the former Star Baking Co. and later retired as an Insurance Agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. He was a graduate of Crisfield High School class of 1945 and was a US Army veteran from 1952 to 1954 serving in the Korean War Conflict at the rank of Cpl.

He was a faithful member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church where he served on the Pastoral Parish Relation Committee, the Administrative Board, was active in the United Methodist Men, was Lay Leader, Sunday School Teacher and volunteered in the church's soup kitchen. He was a 52 year life member of the Crisfield Fire Dept. where he served as Chaplain for 29 years. He was life member and Quarter Master of the former VFW Post #8274, life member of the Stanley Cochrane American Legion Post #16, past president of the former Crisfield Kiwanis Club, past president of the Somerset County Volunteer Firemen's Association, served on the McCready Foundation Board of Directors, Somerset County Liquor Board, and Republican Central Committee.

He loved gardening, fishing and crabbing in his younger years, and enjoyed his daily visits to Gordon's Confectionery over the past few years.

He is survived by his daughters, Pam Ward Eskridge and husband Gary of Galestown, MD and Tammy Ward of Milton, Florida; grandchildren, Benjamin Eskridge of Galestown, and Emily Eskridge Gilmer and husband Kevin of Sharptown; a sister, Jenny Lee Evans of Crisfield; brother-in-law, Freddie Marshall and wife Pat of Mardela Springs; sister-in-law, Jane M. Ward of Baltimore; nieces and nephews, Charles "Tot" Woolston and wife Bonnie of Baltimore, Sue Lachapelle and husband Dave of Holly Springs, NC, Carol Lynn Hall and husband Doug of Crisfield, Patti Monk and husband Darrell of Princess Anne, Debby Gregory and husband Chris of Millsboro, DE, and Mike Ward and wife Cindy of Crisfield; special cousins, Charlotte Daugherty of Crisfield and Debbie Daugherty Ball of Salisbury; a close family friend, Phil Widdowson of Princess Anne; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by two infant daughters; two brothers, Wade D. Ward and James Weldon Ward; and two sisters, Elizabeth Woolston and Isadora Ward.

Funeral services will be Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 2 PM at Immanuel United Methodist Church. Pastors Paul Holland, Steve Willing and Jim Riley will officiate. Interment will be in Sunnyridge Memorial Park. Viewings will be Saturday evening from 7-9 at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service on Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Crisfield Fire Department, P.O. Box 591; Lower Somerset County Ambulance and Rescue Squad, LSCARS, P. O. Box 406; Immanuel U. M. Church Window Fund, 206 W. Main Street; or St. Peter's U. M. Church, 206 W. Main Street; all Crisfield, MD 21817.

To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com