Denton Shane Ward, 42, of Marshalltown, passed away, Monday, January 12, 2026 at his home under the care of Iowa River Hospice. A Traditional Wake will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Glenn Roberts' Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement, rural Tama. A Traditional Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Meskwaki Cemetery on the Meskwaki Settlement, rural Tama.

Denton was born on August 7, 1983, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Deron and Shirley (Noline) Ward.

He graduated from South Tama High School in 2002.

Denton served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 2002-2008 as a 1341-heavy equipment mechanic. He served in Iraq from August 2004 until February 2005.

Denton loved deejaying, golfing, going to music festivals, and collecting shoes. He enjoyed going to watch the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, Iowa Cubs, and being at 1212 Melrose for the Iowa Hawkeyes. His greatest joy was spending time with family and friends, grilling, listening to music and just hanging out.

Survivors include his parents, Deron and Shirley Ward of Tama; daughters, Chloe (Will) Spiedel of Mt. Pleasant, Emaela and Olive Ward of Tama; brothers, Donovan (Meagan) Ward of Cedar Rapids, Dylan (Mollie) Ward of Tama; nieces, Makayla of AZ, Daezha of Tama, and Trinity of Cedar Rapids; nephews, Donovan Jr. and Declan both of Cedar Rapids, and Dixon of Des Moines; grandparents, Alma Ward of Tama, and Steve and Sharon Hull of KS; uncles, Aaron (Gayle) Walker, Danny (Waskonas) Wabaunasee, and James Ward all of Tama, and Randy Noline of OK; aunts, JoAnn (Russell) Youngbear, Ferol Ward, Jana (André) Roberts, and Kimberly Ward all of Tama, Ester Noline of OK, and Theodosia Bond of OK; and many cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Devon Ward; paternal grandfather, Jimmie Ward; maternal grandparents, Valentine and Theodosia Noline; uncle, Samuel Noline; aunts, LaQuetta Ward, and Mary Lenna Noline; cousins, Wayman Wolf, Royce Timberwolf, Reginald Walker, Adrian Wilson, and Jordan Wilson.