Travis Funeral Chapel

Donavon Lewis Ward, age 78 of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Sunday, August 15, 2010 at his home.

Born March 16, 1932 in La Plata, Missouri, he was the son of Harry and Susie Margaret (Euritt) Ward. On December 18, 1955 in Kirksville, Missouri he married Leila A. Leavitt who survives.

Also surviving are four children, Leslie Ann Dochterman and husband Michael of Monterey, California, Steven Leavitt Ward and wife Shannon of Blair, Nebraska, Wallace J. Ward and wife Pattie of Kirksville, Missouri, and Harry Donavon Ward and wife Jill of Redmond, Oregon; two brothers, Thomas Ward and wife Carol of Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas and Gaylord Ward of Jefferson City, Missouri; and sixteen grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Ermal Louise Thomson and Anna Margaret Mayer; and two brothers, Harry Eugene Ward and Duaine Ward.

Donavon lived most all of his life in the La Plata community. He was a 1950 graduate of La Plata High School and then served in the United States Army from 1952 thru 1954. In 1958 he graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in Agriculture. He was employed by U.S.D.A. as a federal grain inspector from 1959 thru 1966, and owned and operated the Co-op service station in La Plata from 1967 thru 1991. Donavon had served as secretary of the La Plata Rural Fire Department and a leader of the Golden Nugget 4-H. He was a member of the La Plata Lions Club and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in several leadership positions in the church. Donavon and Leila served as missionaries in Nauvoo, Illinois from 1999 thru 2001.

Donavon enjoyed farming, gardening, woodworking, and especially spending time with his family.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, north of Macon, Missouri. Officiating will be President Richard Greenland.

Burial will be in the La Plata Cemetery in La Plata, Missouri.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 17, 2010 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri.

Memorials in memory of Donavon Lewis Ward may be made to Northeast Missouri Hospice. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, Missouri 63549