Iva Woodward

Iva Rose (Williams) Woodward was born November 9th, 1925 to Charles and Della Williams in Sharden, Ohio. She was one of six children and the youngest girl. She was raised by the River Raisin in Monroe, Michigan. Being a child of the Depression, she was a resourceful, conservative woman with a strong work ethic and morals. Although her formal education ended in the 10th grade, there wasn't a pattern or recipe she couldn't translate and her common sense always prevailed. She worked as a nanny for a dentist in Florida in her teens, moving to Danville to live with her mother and one of her sisters in 1944 where she met the love of her life, Kenneth Woodward. Iva worked at General Motors while Ken served as an Army MP during WWII. After his discharge, they married July 19th, 1946 settling in Danville to start their family. They had three children; Merrill, Marlene and Lois and were days shy of the 50th wedding anniversary when Ken passed in 1997. She was a founding member of Central Christian Church and taught Sunday School for several years raising her children in faith. She was a cub scout mother, 4-H leader and kindergarten parent volunteer. She was very industrious and a creative wife, mother and spiritual guide for her family as well as an accomplished seamstress, knitter and crafter. With a borrowed library book, she made a sectional couch out of a daybed, drapes, curtains, throw rugs, afghans, and quilts for their new house in Catlin. She made her children's clothes, coats, prom dresses, knitted their socks, and mittens upholstered their cars and airplane seats. The family made paper chains, strung popcorn and made Christmas card candy boxes for teachers, milkmen, paperboys, family and friends each year that she filled with baked goods, fudge, heavenly hash and butterscotch pralines. She was a wonderful baker. With all of her children in school, she went to work at General Electric, Magnavox and Tee Pak. She medically retired after 20 plus years from Tee Pak after the plant fire. Throughout her life she was a member of the Eastern Star, GAO Grotto and a volunteer at the Danville Humane Society until health issues prevented her participation. Iva was a very private person sharing her innermost thoughts in prayer and with her special friend, Judy David. She always said, I always start my prayers with "It's me again Lord" as we have a running dialog! It was her faith that eased her worries and heartaches that saw her through her son's Vietnam tour with the Air Force; Marlene's several moves with her husband, John; the loss of her grandson, David; the near death of Lois in childbirth and the caregiving and loss of Ken's battle with cancer. She herself was a cancer survivor for several years and up until her passing. Family meant so much to her. She reveled in the joys of her families' accomplishments, graduations, weddings and babies. She was proud of every milestone her family achieved and those of her many nieces and nephews. She also shared the sorrow of the loss of her parents and her siblings Irene, Lou, twins - Bea and Bernice and brother Wayne and their spouses; as well as those of her in-laws; Pat Marlon, Donnie, Ken's twin sister; Katy, Muriel, Bernadine, brother-in-law, Bob and most of their spouses. After 90 years on the earth with all the joys and sorrows that is life, she had such joy and peace in her heart and departed this life at home and in her sleep as she wanted. Treasuring many memories, she is survived by her caregivers, Merrill and Lois; daughter and son-in-law, John and Marlene Owen of Texas; sister-in-law - Marge; numerous treasured nieces and nephews and her devoted canine companion, Rocky. A Celebration of Iva's life will be held on Sunday December 27, 2015 at 2pm at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville. A Private Entombment will be held. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Iva's name to the Humane Society of Danville. Please join Iva's family in sharing video, pictures and memories on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com