Obituary of Ward Milford Stover

Ward Milford Stover, 87, of State College, died on Monday, November 13, 2017 at Juniper Village at Brookline, State College.

Born on January 5, 1930, in Coburn, he was the son of the late Herbert Jacob and Laura Elizabeth Kaler Stover. On June 21, 1952, he married Grace Marie Miller, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Jeffrey Ward Stover and his wife, Fariba, of State College and Gregory Miller Stover and his wife, Jill, of Lantana, TX; one sister, Ruth L. Stover of Millheim; four grandchildren, Alexander, Adam, Madison and Matthew; a niece, Rita Musser, of Coburn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Shirk, of Lewisburg and Mae Shuey, of Millheim.

He was a 1947 graduate of East Penns Valley High School. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education in 1951 and was hired by Penn State Cooperative Extension Service. He served Clearfield, Chester and Delaware Counties until 1954 when he was transferred to Indiana County. He was named County Agent in 1960.  In 1977 he received a Master’s degree in Rural Sociology from Penn State University and was named Senior Agent. He retired as a Senior Agent in 1994 after 43 years in a career he always enjoyed.

He truly believed in and lived by the theme of people helping people. He was always happiest when he was working with farmers throughout the county or local organizations and sharing the expertise of the Penn State Extension specialists. Christmas tree growers, County Fair activities, farm-city events, a three-year dairy study, and tree preservation were all projects he enjoyed. The final joy before retirement was having a great celebration of 75 years of Extension in Indiana County with more than 400 attending.

For 37 years he was a “Voice from the Farm Show,” sending news of interest and names of winners to listeners in the state. Starting in 1955, the words “Good Morning” welcomed early risers to agricultural news and activities on radio station WDAD emanating from the phone at his desk at home. This worked fine except for the day the Indiana Gazette and the family dog hit the front door at the same time during the broadcast.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, State College. Ward was also a member of the Armsby Honor Society, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Board of Directors of the Ag Advisory Council, Past President of College of Ag Society (CAAS), and the recipient of a Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agents.

A Life Member of the Penn State Alumni Association, he was an avid fan of Penn State sports, particularly football. Until very recent years he had missed only two games in Beaver Stadium and had enjoyed many trips to Bowl Games.

He was an Emeritus Member of the Kiwanis Club, and belonged to the Indiana-Franklin Lodge No.313, the Valley of Coudersport Consistory, and Jaffa Shrine.

Visitation will be from 10 until 11 a.m., on Monday, November 20, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St, State College. Memorial service will follow at 11 a.m., at the church with the Reverend’s P. Stevens Lynn and Scott Schul officiating.

Inurnment will be in the Grace Lutheran Church Columbarium.

In Ward’s memory, give a friend a hug, pat your pet, and say “I love you” to your spouse each day.
In lieu of floral gifts, remember Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St, State College, PA 16801 or Zion Lutheran Church, 600 Church St, Indiana, PA 15701, or a favorite charity of yours.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.