Darwin E. Woodman

Cherry Valley--Darwin E. 'Woody' Woodman, 85, of Cherry Valley passed away Thursday, July 4, 2013 at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Born on October 29, 1927 in Rockford, the son of Archie and Lulu Belle (Folette) Woodman. Woody was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army. He married Marcia Walker in Rockford on November 28, 1957. Woody was a member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and a 50 year member of the Carpenters Local 745. He was also a 50 year member and a 32ndDegree Mason of the Freeport Consistory as well as a 50 year member of the Tebala Shriners. Woody was a skilled carpenter for over 40 years and business owner of Woodman & Jones Builders. He built hundreds of homes in the Rockford and Cherry Valley area, helping to develop numerous neighborhoods and subdivisions. He made many family's dreams of building and owning a home come true. Those homes stand as testament to the hard work, quality and dedication he believed in. He was a humble man that loved his family and instilled in them a wonderful work ethic and appreciation for the 'simple things in life' and the 'value of the dollar.' This appreciation stems from growing up as the youngest of nine children, during the depression with very little means. He overcame many odds including surviving a heart attack and prostate cancer and lived a full and long life. He will be greatly missed.

Survived by his wife, Marcia; children, Craig Woodman, Gary (Vickie) Woodman of Rockford and Gail (Al) Zernia of Rockford; grandchildren, Nancie Hood, Miranda and Reid Woodman and A.J. and Zoe Zernia and great-granddaughter, Tillie Hood. Predeceased by his parents, son, Ron Woodman, brothers and sisters, Glenn, Clarence, Clyde, Harold 'Spike', Archie, Pearl, Mildred and Arlene.

Please join us for a Memorial Service celebrating his life on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 2715 South Mulford Road, with Pastor Janet Wold officiating. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to be distributed to local charities and scholarship funds in honor of Darwin. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, assisted the family. To