Franklin "Frank" Woodward

Franklin "Frank" Lee Roy Woodward passed in his sleep on February 3, 2022.

He was born June 10, 1934 to W. Jerry and Marion (Thompson) Woodward in Battle Creek. As a youth, Frank would spend his summers working on his grandfather's farm. Frank graduated in 1953 from Kellogg Agricultural High School. After graduation he started working for the American Fire Apparatus Company in Battle Creek, retiring in 1980.

Frank was active in the Bedford community, serving as a patrolman for the Bedford Police Department and with the Bedford Fire Department, retiring as Assistant Chief. He also served with the Bedford Rescue Squad. He was a member of the Bedford Lions Club and was especially proud to be a member of the Bedford Masons.

After retirement from the American Fire Apparatus Company, he worked shortly for the Clark Equipment Company until it closed and at the Pfizer Research Farm. He then worked for First Housing Corporation maintaining apartment complexes. He also drove school buses for Gull Lake Community Schools. Frank served the Village of Richland on the planning committee for many years.

Frank married Vivian Jean Morgan in 1955 ending in divorce. He married Rosemary (Sherman) McMullen in 1982.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Rosemary; brothers, Richard Woodward and W. Jerry Woodward; sisters, Marilyn Wood, Patricia Nail, Vereda Tinkham, Georgia Barnett and great-granddaughter Chloe Woodward.

Surviving are his daughters, Debbie Clark, Pam (Bob) Laity; son Bill (Shelly) Woodward; grandchildren, Jarod (Holly) Clark, Cameron (Anthony) Gardner, Ryan (Molly) Gardner, Leda Clark, Brandon (Becky) Woodward, Libby Woodward, Minna (Mike) Carr, great-grandchildren, Abi Clark, Gillian Clark, Olivia Woodward and Wilder Carr; a brother Thomas (Lydia) Woodward and sisters, Jacquelin Barnard and Janet (Gerald) Earing; and a special friend, Mary Brown.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. Frank's family will receive friends at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel on Saturday, March 26, 2022 beginning at 11:00 a.m. A celebration of his life will follow at 1:00 p.m. The family requests, in leu of flowers, donations be made to Centrica Care Navigators Hospice or a charity of ones choice. Frank's family is being assisted by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.