Donald W. "Donnie" Ward Jr

Donald W. Ward Jr., of Indianapolis, IN, passed away on November 2, 2022, at St. Vincent’s Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born January 2, 1960, in Indianapolis, IN, to Donald and the late Veronica Ward. He was the second of six children including Jenny, Joni, Charlie, Michael, and Julie. He attended Pike Township schools and graduated in 1978.

Donnie had a passion for sports. He played basketball for Municipal Gardens, football for Eagledale Dad’s Club, and baseball for the Pike Township Baseball League. In high school, Donnie was on the Pike High School basketball team under the direction of Coach Ed Siegel.

On June 13, 1981, at the age of 21, Donnie became quadriplegic as a result of a diving accident while swimming. He was paralyzed from the neck down. He went to rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. There he learned how to adapt to a new way of life. Donnie returned to his home, in Indianapolis, in November of 1981, and lived with his family until the time of his death.
Donnie remained an avid sports fan!! He enjoyed attending many sporting events in his wheelchair, including going to Notre Dame football games, Colts games, Indianapolis 500 races, Nascar races and Butler basketball games. When not attending those events, he was certainly cheering them on from the comfort of home with family!

Donnie was a colorful son, brother, uncle, and friend to so many. His nieces and nephews could always count on Donnie being available and home to lend an ear and give advice or encouragement. His legacy is his family and the impact he had on molding and keeping the family centered and together throughout the years.

Special thanks to the caregivers for the past 41 years including the late Dr. Gordon Jones and wife, Nancy Jones, his current physician Dr. Laurence Adams, and Community Home Health providers Crystal and Harley for providing compassionate and excellent medical care of Donnie over the years. A special thanks to his sister, Jennifer Hollingsworth, a Registered Nurse at St. Vincent Hospital NICU, who dedicated her time and care every day to Donnie’s needs so that he could be surrounded by family at home.

Donnie was preceded in death by his loving mother, Veronica Ward. He is survived by his family; his father, Donald Ward, Sr; his sisters and brothers, Jenny Hollingsworth (Gary), Joni Guest (Terry), Charlie Ward (Vicky), Michael Ward, and Julie Esterline (Mark); his nieces and nephews, Emily, AJ (Sara), Eric (Ashley) Hollingsworth, Heather McClain (Matt), Angela Guest, Ashlee Roell (Jeff), Nick Guest (Emily), Michael Guest, Charlie Ward Jr. (Lynley), Chris Ward, Alice Ellman (Trevor), Grace, Charlie, Megan and Annie Esterline; his great nieces and nephews Tyson, Tanner McClain, Noah, Emma, McKenzie, Isabella and Colton Ward, Trenton Roell and Lane Guest.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 7, 2022, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Flanner Buchanan- Washington Park North, (2706 Kessler Blvd. West Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46228). A Catholic mass and burial will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, (3354 W. 30th St. Indianapolis, IN 46222) at 1:00 p.m. The burial to follow at Washington Park North Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Order of St. Thomas More-Notre Dame Law School, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5612 or to The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Lois Pope LIFE Center, Miami, FL 33136.