Soldotna resident Eric Lamar Ward, 53, passed away from a heart attach at home on Dec. 6.

A service will be held at the Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. J.D. Duncan will officiate. Eric was born in Tacoma, Wash. March 5, 1959.

“To our Beloved Eric, the strongest and bravest man we knew… As a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend – no man could ever take your place, and (we) are very thankful you were in our lives; you will never be forgotten or replaced,” his family wrote. “Forever and always in our hearts and on our minds.”

Eric married Bernice Lillian Ward June 3, 1977, in Kodiak. He was the owner and founder of Alutiiq Couriers.

Eric is survived by his parents Harold and Betty Ward; siblings, Ramona Duby, Kyra Murphy, Joy Jessup, Starr Ward and Edward Ward; his dear nieces and nephews; wife, Bernice Lillian Ward; sons, Timothy Harold and Eric Paul Ward; and grandchildren, Lindsay Mae, Ryan Avery and Caleb Allen Ward.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted at 35855 Sundog Circle, Soldotna, AK, 99669.