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Lavern "Vern" Alward

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Grand Blanc High School Carnegie Mellon University Central Michigan University Eastern Michigan University

Lavern Alward Obituary

ALWARD, Lavern "Vern" - Of Fostoria, formerly of Grand Blanc, age 81, died Saturday, March 8, 2008 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at Faith Lutheran Church, 12534 Holly Road, Grand Blanc, Rev. Paul Parker officiating. Interment will follow at Crestwood Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Alward will lie in state at the church Wednesday at 10 a.m. The family will receive friends at the Hill Funeral Home, 11723 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, Monday 5 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday 12 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Vern was born on May 12, 1926 in Flint, son of Norman and Gladys (DeLong) Alward. He graduated from Grand Blanc High School and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers as catcher. At the same time he was called upon by his country to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in Europe where he was awarded the Purple Heart. At the end of World War II, Vern played baseball for the U.S. Army traveling baseball team in Europe. Following his military service, he earned his bachelor's degree from CMU, his master's degree from U of M, his specialist's degree from EMU, and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from CMU. He was an educator and coach at Montrose High School before assuming the same position at Flint Bendle High School. During his career he served as the Assistant Superintendent of the LakeVille School District and later as Superintendent of Chippewa Hills School District and Mayville School District. Vern was a lifetime member of the Michigan Education Association, and was actively involved in coaching and education, being inducted into the Montrose Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. Following retirement, he served as an associate pastor in several area Nazarene churches and most recently attended Lapeer Free Methodist Church. The focus of his life was God, his family and sports. His greatest joy was being actively involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by: wife of 60 years, Dorothy Alward; children, Susan (Therold) Grow, Kathy (Bill) Schott, and Tom (Darlene) Alward; grandchildren, Lara, Matthew, Jonathan, Trevor, Jennifer, Chris, Adam and Katie; 18 great-grandchildren, Gabrielle, Courtney, Abigail, Rachel, Cole, Zac, Drew, Shelby, Brian, Mason, Callie, Ethan, Collin, Luke, Emma, Chloe, Braden and Megan; and a brother, Grant (Beverly) Alward. He was preceded in death by: his parents; grandson, Andrew Grow; great-grandson, Noah Jameson Lavern Lawrence; brothers, Don and Mack Alward; and a sister, Shirley Maneke. If desired, memorials may be made to the Lapeer Free Methodist Church. Memories may be shared with the family online at www.mem.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Flint Journal on Mar. 10, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Lavern Alward

18 Entries

Shirley (Priest) Ballentine

April 9, 2008

I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Alward. He was my Drivers Training Teacher at Bendle. I can honestly say he was the BEST drivers training teacher ever! I have passed along some of the things he taught me to my grandchildren. Treasure the good memories you have of him.

Susan Carnes

March 24, 2008

Dorthy, I know words can't take away the terrible ache and lonliness you are feeling. I am praying for your health and spirit. Know that many, many people love and care about you. Vern and Jim are talking sports and are not in pain. Love you , Sue

Ryan Tomaselli

March 23, 2008

Tom-Darlene and all the Alwards!
I would like to give my sympathy to you and your family during this time, Coach your father was always in the stands cheering on the Martians and he was a huge party of GOODRICH! He will be missed, but never forgotten!

Ryan "Tommy" Tomaselli

Frank Betty Feher

March 15, 2008

Our condolences to Vern's family with his passing. We are wintering in Lakeland,Fl.

John Osterman

March 15, 2008

Dear Alwards, The 3 years that Coach was at Montrose is remembered by many. He taught us many life lessons. Which helped us to grow. Knowing he loved the Lord makes his passing easier. Seeing him at the Hall of Fame Induction was a thrill and a great memory for us. John and Ellen Osterman Monroe OH

Barbara (Stewart) Humphries

March 12, 2008

Dear Alward Family,
Some of my dearest childhood memories revolve around all of you. One of my best memories of Mr. Alward was when he sang "Jerusalem" at the Easter program at school. The world has lost one of it's best; I weep for the world. But I rejoice in the knowledge that we will see Mr. Alward again where "no sorrows ever come". My love to all of you.

Tom & Colleen Alward

March 11, 2008

We are so sorry to hear of Vern's passing. We met Vern by surprise when I rented a Limo that he was driving, to surprise my husband Tom after work one night. We got talking to him and he said his last name was Alward too...... We were all surprised.
Vern and his wife also met my parents Bob & Ruth Smith in Z-hills, Fl. at their church there.They send their condolences as well. He will be sadly missed. May God Bless all the Alward families during this time of sorrow.

Steve and Ali Miller

March 11, 2008

Dorothy and all - We are so sorry to hear of Vern's passing. We will miss him greatly with you. Thank you for all of the great times in Zephyrhills! Some great memories were made there.

Pamela Hillier

March 11, 2008

Dear Dorothy, Susie, Kathy, and Tom: I am holding you close in my thoughts & prayers during this sad and difficult time. Vern was a very special person & he will surely be missed. Love,Pam Hillier

Peggy Coon

March 10, 2008

Dear Alward Family, especially Tom & Darlene,
So sorry about the loss of your Dad. You're in our thoughts & prayers. Take care. Love, Peggy & Wayne

The Lambs

March 10, 2008

We were so sorry to hear about Verns passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
The Lambs
Jean Lee Lamb
Kurt Lamb
Karla (Lamb) Devan and families

Brad and Candy Rainwater

March 10, 2008

Tom-Darlene and all the Alwards!
WE will especially miss seeing your dad in the 'football stands' at Goodrich High School. He loved to watch the game, watched you Tom -intensely 'coach' the team and always was one of the last to leave after he would give you his hugs...no matter the score...
He truly loved you! WE will miss him too. God Bless you during this time.. The Rainwater Family

Richard W. Myers

March 10, 2008

The Peace that passes all understanding be with you all at this time of loss. It's not permanent loss, coach just went on ahead to be on the welcoming committee for everyone else. He is praising God face to face and saying Lord tell them not to weep, I'm okay now and running around and getting up a good game of baseball. I knew coach well not only from school but from the Methodist church on Columbine Ave in Burton. He was an exellent role model and friend to everyone. He says if we don't behave while he's gone we will have to do laps.

Loretta Calmes- Rhoads

March 10, 2008

My prayers go out to your family. It is a great loss when you loose a loving parent.
Loretta

Rev. Tal S. Denny

March 10, 2008

My prayers go out to the family. Vern was a very wonderful person. Someday soon we will be able to see him again.

Don and Maxine Miller

March 10, 2008

God Bless you, Dorothy, Sue, Kathy, Tom and families. You had a super husband, father and grandpa. Remember all the good times. Love you all.

Anna Robinson

March 10, 2008

I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Vern Alward as a great man with a great family.A great roll model. God Bless Dorothy,Susan,Kathy, Tom and your whole family. Anna{Gorton) Robinson,

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