Submitted by Dan Rich

John W. Woodruff

March 9, 1922 -- April 17, 2005

South Bend Tribune 4/19/2005           

John W. Woodruff, 83, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, April 17, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital, South Bend.

He was born on March 9, 1922, in Mishawaka, and lived there all his life. He married Ellen Dermiece (Jo) Larimer on April 19, 1944. who preceded him in death in November 1988.

John retired from The Wheelabrator Corp. in Mishawaka in April 1984 after working there for 43 years. He was the oldest seniority worker at Wheelabrators at that time. John still met with friends from Wheelabrators every Wednesday morning for breakfast. His work longevity seemed a miracle to many because, due to lung cancer, he had the first lung removal procedure in this area in 1958. As a long-term cancer survivor, his extended and fruitful life has been an inspiration to others.

John will be remembered by friends and family as a kind, gentle man whose presence in their lives was a fun, calming influence. He enjoyed trains of every kind and was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Train Club. John and his friend, Ralph Long, traveled extensively through the United States and Canada by train. They especially enjoyed traveling by steam train. John occasionally traveled to Chicago on the South Shore to ride the El train with family and friends. In later life, John traveled to Europe and his special love was England and Ireland. His love of clocks motivated him to build a grandfather clock for each of his sons' wedding presents, creating priceless family heirlooms. He loved woodworking, and many friends and family members received handmade wood gifts over the years.

Of his eight brothers and sisters, only one remains to mourn his passing, William (Beverly) Woodruff of Mishawaka. The others preceded him in death: Charles (Doris) Woodruff, Robert (Berniece) Woodruff, Kenneth (Pat) Woodruff, Leroy (Betty) Woodruff, Esther Gill and Dorothy (Bob) Basham, and Eugene Woodruff.

Also remaining are three sons, Danny (Joyce) Woodruff of Hallandale, FL, Pat (Martha) Woodruff of Osceola and John (Teri) Woodruff of Mishawaka. Loving grandchildren include Tracy Woodruff (Mike) Euler and Maria (John) Improta of Buffalo, NY, Raymond Woodruff of Chicago and Christopher Woodruff of Mishawaka. Three loving great-grandchildren, Kieran, Jack and Charlie, and many nieces and nephews share the loss of this quiet, gentle man.

Services will be held in Bubb's Funeral Home on North Main Street in Mishawaka.