RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Memorial services were held here last Tuesday for Dr. Chester Joseph Ward, Jr., 34, of Riverside.

Dr. Ward, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Ward, Sr., rural Lane, Kan., was injured fatally January 26 near Hemet, Calif., when a car he was driving collided head-on with another auto.

Ward reportedly had passed a car. As he came to a curve, his auto hit a wet spot on the pavement, throwing the car out of control. Ward's auto crossed the center line, striking an oncoming car.

In the car with Ward was Mrs. Mary Wilcox, an employee at an animal hospital of which Ward was part owner. The two had been on a call to an area kennel. Mrs. Wilcox was critically injured. Passengers in the second car were treated for cuts.

Dr. Ward was born in Riverside, Calif.; April 30, 1932. He moved to Kansas late in 1932 with his family. He graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1950. He later attended Kansas State University, receiving a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1956.

He married Phyllis Jean Day of Osawatomie in 1952. He built an animal hospital at Hoisington, Kan., and in 1962, purchased half interest in an animal center at West Riverside, Calif. His family moved to California.

Dr. Ward was a charter member of the Rubidous First Methodist Church. He had served on the building committee for the construction of the church. The congregation had moved into the new building only about six weeks ago. A memorial is being established at the church for Dr. Ward.

As an amateur sports car driver, Dr. Ward was C-production class champion in the Pacific Coast Division in 1964. He was widely known in West Coat amateur racing circles.

He served as a director with Goodwill Industries at Riverside.

Besides his parents, survivors include his wife, Phyllis, and four children, Aaron, Bruce, Amy and Becky Jo of the home; a brother, Lawrence; and two sisters, Mrs. Rosalie Conner and Mary Ward.