Douglas Alan Ward, 71, of Fremont, died suddenly while unloading his lawn mower in Angola on Monday morning, September 28, 2026.

Born on March 30, 1955, at the Whitley County Memorial Hospital in Columbia City, Indiana, he was a son of the late Rex Garland Ward and Janice “Colleen” (Bohnstedt) Ward. Growing up in the Larwill area, he completed Larwill Grade School and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1973.

After graduation, he worked for Dana Corporation in Fort Wayne as a machine operator. He retired in 2003, with 30 years of service.

On July 24, 2010, he married Barbara Sue Amerman. They have always made their home in rural Fremont.

Fond of animals, he loved working with horses and always had a dog by his side. He leaves behind his beloved constant companion, a blue healer dog named Dal. Enjoying the outdoors, he liked to camp and fish with his long-term friends and was always ready for a good game of shooting pool.

Surviving are his wife, Barbie, his daughter, Lisa (Christopher) Kuntz of Ossian; grandchildren, Tyler (Cierra) Kuntz, Aiden (Hallie) Kuntz, and Ethan Kuntz; great-grandchildren, Averi and Isla Kuntz; and siblings, Tim (Kalene) Ward of Columbia City, Dave Ward, of Fort Wayne, and Christy (Fred) Shinneman, of Columbia City.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by a son, Ty Ward.

Doug desired to have no services. An interment service will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery in Larwill at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Memorials in Doug’s honor are to the Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County.