Donald R. Woods, Janesville, WI  (1928 - 2012)

Donald R. Woods, 83, of Janesville passed away Thursday, July 5, 2012, at St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital, surrounded by his family. Donald was born in Harvard, IL on August 18, 1928, the son of Richard and Olive (Tapp) Woods. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army from Oct. 1, 1946 until Feb. 6, 1948, and received the Army of Occupation medal for serving in Japan. Donald married Therese Steinke on April 15, 1950. He was employed as a truck driver by Gateway Transportation for 30 years and following his retirement from there, he worked as a driver for Gordie Boucher until 2011. Donald was a member of St. William Catholic Church and Kienow-Hilt V.F.W. # 1621.
Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Therese; six children: Rebecca (Alger) Riese, and their children, Joni (Chris) Dorr and Adam Riese; Kathleen Woods; Jennifer (Tom) Strunz and their children, Kyle and Hayley Stauffacher and Tanner Strunz; Brenda (Eugene) Jacobson, and their son, Erik Jacobson; Mary Benway, and her children, Carly, Mitchell, Dylan and Jacy Benway; Richard (Janie) Woods, and their children, Tristan, Trey and Leah Woods. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren: Ethan, Colin and Quinn Dorr; and one sister, Lorena McNamara; three sisters-in-law: Lucille DeVita, Rosemary Harnack and Jackie(Dennis) Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers-in-law: Donald, Thomas and Richard Steinke; and two sisters-in-law, Virginia Johnson and Elizabeth Fanning.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at ST. WILLIAM CATHOLIC CHURCH, 456 N. Arch Street, Janesville. Father John Auby will preside. Entombment will be in Milton Lawns Memorial Park Mausoleum with military honors by Kienow-Hilt V.F.W. Post # 1621. Visitation will be from 9 until 11 a.m. Tuesday at the CHURCH. The family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home. www.henkeclarson.com.
“We will miss you and always love you. You were a great and loving husband, father and grandfather.”