Submitted by Dan Rich

Charles M. Woodruff

Feb. 26, 1919 - Oct. 31, 2002

South Bend Tribune 11/3/2002

Charles M. Woodruff, 83, of Edison Road in South Bend, Ind., passed away at 3:40 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in Hospice House of St. Joseph County.

He was born on Feb. 26, 1919, to Charles Andrew and Sarah Edith (Kelly) Woodruff in Lafayette, Ind., and was a lifelong South Bend area resident. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, one sister, and by five brothers.

Mr. Woodruff retired on June 2, 1982, from Wells Aluminum Corporation in North Liberty, Ind., after 31 years of service.

On Oct. 13, 1941, he married Doris L. Umbaugh. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris L. (Umbaugh) Woodruff of South Bend; one daughter, Kathy (Randolph) Mahnesmith of Fishersville, Va.; one son, James (Shari) Woodruff of Middlebury, Ind.; three grandchildren, Logan J. (Sandy) Woodruff of Osceola, Ind., Noell K. (Dean) Woodruff-Giudice of Mishawaka, Ind., Ethan R. Mahnesmith of Fishersville, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Zachary Woodruff-Giudice of Mishawaka and Carmen Jackson of Osceola; one sister, Dorothy Basham of North Liberty; two brothers, John Woodruff of Mishawaka and William (Beverly) Woodruff of Mishawaka; and by several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Woodruff was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #1954, American Legion Post #365, and the F.&A.M. Masonic Lodge #266, all of North Liberty. He was also a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, Lydick Lions Club, and was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Lodge # 2083 in Mishawaka.

He played for 40 years with Ray Rice's Ragtimers throughout the area and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, where he served with the Navy Seabees from 1943-1945.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 3, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, with Rev. Andy Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, South Bend, where military services will be conducted by both the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #1954 and American Legion Post #365, both of North Liberty.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437. (nf)