Images of destroyed homes in Joplin, Mo., seemed so far away from Bowling Green, until a familiar face
emerged in some of the photographs.
The image showed Melody Ward, formerly of Bowling Green, being rescued from her family’s new home in
Joplin.
"You don’t expect to see national pictures of people you know," said Ward’s friend, Cindy
Musteric, of Pemberville. "You don’t expect to know people affected by things like this."
The tornado that ripped through Joplin killed at least 122 people. Rescuers are still searching for
survivors.
Chuck and Melody Ward just moved to Joplin from Bowling Green about a month ago to be closer to family.

The tornado reportedly destroyed their home. The family had sought safety in the basement. After the
storm passed, Melody Ward and two of the couple’s five children had to be hospitalized.
"The latest that I know is that Melody and two of the boys are still in the hospital," Musteric
said. "They are going to be OK."
The photographs on Facebook showed Melody Ward being helped out of her home.
"It was heartbreaking," said Kati Thompson, a friend from Bowling Green. "But all of them
are going to be fine."
Melody, who is five months pregnant, suffered a broken pelvis.
"She will be basically on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy," Thompson said.
The family has reportedly lost everything in their home.
"Absolutely everything was lost," Thompson said. "Officials are telling them there is no
point in going back."
The Wards have five children, ages 2 through 8.
"They are a neat family," Musteric said.
Chuck Ward worked at Lubrizol on North Main Street in Bowling Green. Melody Ward stayed at home with the
children and was active in a homeschooling group in Bowling Green. The family attended Dayspring
Assembly of God.
The family decided to move because of Chuck’s relatives in the Joplin area.
"They were looking for an opportunity to be closer to family," Thompson said.
Thompson said the images of her friend being rescued impacted her greatly.
"It’s probably changed me forever," she said. "I’ll have much more compassion for the
families hit by something like this."
Both women back in Ohio have been watching for the latest details on their friend and her family.
"I’ve been on Facebook quite a bit, watching for updates," Musteric said.
Thompson said she has not been able to reach her friend yet by phone.
"Phone service has been so sketchy."
Anyone wanting to help the Ward family may find details on how best to do that by going to:
http://goo.gl/QFNaC or http://www.kidscounttoo.com/Ward_Family_Donation.html