Francis Lewis Ward

Francis L. Ward was the founder of the current funeral home known today as Joseph A. Ward Funeral Home. Francis worked for R.P. Cloud in Marcus Hook along with Mr. George Maxwell. When Mr. Cloud passed away, Mr. Maxwell took over the Cloud Funeral Home and later relocated to Boothwyn, PA. Francis decided to open his own funeral home, believing he could provide a much needed service for Linwood and its surrounding communities. Francis opened the Francis L. Ward Funeral Home in 1937, at his home at 134 E. Ridge Road, Linwood, PA (the current location of the Convent of Holy Saviour Parish).

Outside of Chester, Ward and Maxwell were the only two funeral homes providing services for Linwood, Marcus Hook, Trainer, and Boothwyn areas. During the 1930s, it was common practice for families to choose a funeral home strictly along religious or ethnic lines.