Donald E. Woodward

Donald Eugene Woodward, age 86, of Ottawa, died Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at Village Manor Nursing Home. He was born on Monday, June 23, 1924, in Melvern, Kansas, the son of Elmer B. and Lula (Lightle) Woodward. Don lived in Ottawa since 1942. Don worked fifteen years as a mechanic for Town & Country Supply and then part-time until his retirement in 1989. He was previously employed by Crites Appliance, Robertson Ford Motors and Bob White Motors, all of Ottawa. During World War II, Don served in the United States Army from March of 1943 until November of 1945, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was an ambulance driver for the 110th Medical Battalion attached to the 35th Infantry Division, seeing action in France and Germany. During deployment, he was captured twice by German forces. Don was a member of North Baptist Church in Ottawa. He was Director of the Ottawa Boys’ Club for thirty-eight years. In 1994, the Boys’ Club was renamed the Don Woodward Community Center. In 1998, he received the Ottawa Rotary Club Service Above Self Award for his dedicated work with the Boys’ Club. On November 9, 1942, Don was united in marriage with Aileen Fay Hough in Ottawa. She preceded him in death February 16, 2010. They enjoyed sixty-seven years of marriage and are now together again. Survivors include: Son-Dan A. Woodward and his wife, Nikki, of Topeka, KS; Son-Martin L. Woodward and his wife, Sheryl, of Ottawa, KS; Grandson-Shanon Woodward; Granddaughter-Teri Woodward; Eight Gt.Grandchildren: Levi, Haylee, Carley, Hannah, Tyler, Jaymee, Jesse and Jenner. He is preceded in death by his wife,Aileen F. Woodward; parents,Elmer B. and Lula (Lightle) Woodward; brother, Earl Dean Woodward, and sister,Winifred Phares. SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2011. IN STATE: Mr. Woodward will lie in state after 9:00 a.m. Friday at Dengel & Son Mortuary to service hour, where the family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to American Heart Association, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.