FRANK EDWARD WOODWARD

Frank was born in Southbend, Indiana on June 28, 1928, and resided in Niles, Michigan the first few years of his life. From about age 5, Frank lived the rest of his life in Alpena. He was the son of the late Frank H. Woodward and Mary Leonore (Cunningham) Woodward.

In March 1945, Frank began working for the Alpena Sporting Goods, where he would meet the love of his life and wife of 67 years, Darlene E. Reynolds, while working for her parents, the late Denver and Helen Reynolds. In the summer of 1946, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army with his close cousin, the late Dr. Robert F. Davison. Frank was stationed in Mason, Korea and discharged in December 1947. After being discharged, he worked a short time for Montgomery Ward. In the fall of 1948 he enrolled at the Detroit Institute of Technology attending a few semesters. Frank went back to work for the Alpena Sporting Goods until 1960. He worked for the Besser Co. a short time, then in 1961 began working for the Westinghouse Airbrake Co. until 1964. Frank then worked for Universal Fluid Dynamics/Fluid Power Division until 1974. In the spring of 1975 Frank began working for the County of Alpena at the Courthouse until retiring in January of 1991.

Frank was an avid outdoorsman, and loved hunting, shooting, and fishing. He loved and treasured the many fly-in fishing trips he made into Ontario, Canada with his two sons and father-in-law. Frank had a great interest in piano playing, tuning, and repair, which he did for many years during retirement. He was a great storyteller of the “good old days,” and had a great sense of humor. He was very good at making or fixing things, detail oriented, and was an all-around great handyman. He always had his own particular way of doing things.

Frank is survived and will be greatly missed by his loving and devoted wife Darlene, and his two sons, Frank C. Woodward of Marquette, and Rick R. Woodward (Mary) of Kalamazoo, three grandchildren Ashley Lager (Corey), Melissa O’Brien (Cameron), and Christopher Woodward (fiancee Autumn McDaniel) all of Kalamazoo, and one great-grandchild Liam O’Brien also of Kalamazoo.

Frank was preceded in death by his father Frank H. Woodward and Mary Leonore (Cunningham) Woodward, a sister Marion B. (Hinckley) Wilson, and two nieces Julie A. (Payne) Austin and Paula L. (Payne) Todd, and a sister-in-law Arlene Walters (Jerry).

An immediate family celebration of Frank’s life will take place at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the McWilliams Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan in memory of Frank. Online condolences may be registered at www.mcwilliamsfh.com.