DANVILLE – J. Eugene Woods, formerly of Danville, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2021, following a long illness. Born on August 22, 1936, he was the son of John and Burdetta Woods.
Eugene was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and faithful friend who will be missed by many.
He worked in the accounting and purchasing departments at Cooper Bessemer and later retired from Rolls Royce after 30-plus years of service. He also served on the Danville School Board of Education for 19 years and was a former member of the Danville Lions Club.
Eugene was very active in his church and community throughout his lifetime. He served as elder and deacon at the Danville Church of Christ and the Grove Church of Christ. Most recently, he was a member of the Central Christian Church. Eugene enjoyed singing in the choir, participating in many Danville Community Choir and Knox County Community Choir events. He also enjoyed calling on the sick and serving home communion to shut-ins.
Eugene’s hobbies included carpentry, woodworking and gardening; but he was most famous for crafting wooden toys. He particularly liked to participate in craft shows where he could display his talents, but more often he loved to watch kids entice their parents to purchase.
Surviving are his children, Yvonne (Larry) Clutter of Gambier, Greg (Tanya) Woods of Mount Vernon, and RaeJean (Arron) Clark of Centerburg; grandchildren, Rodney (Krista) Clutter, Kelly (Jon) Rush, Timothy (Ashley) Clutter, Daniel (Ciera) Woods, Nick (Kristin) Woods, Brennan (Christina) Woods, and Olivia and Zoeley Clark; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Doris (Dexter) Swendal; brother, Darwin (Diana) Woods; several nephews; a niece; as well as a very special friend, Sue Lybarger of Mount Vernon.
Eugene was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ruth Ann (Brown) Woods on Feb. 8, 2018, whom he married on Feb. 2, 1957; and a brother, Wendall Woods.
The family expresses their deepest gratitude to the staff of the Ohio Eastern Star Home (Lily Neighborhood) for their supreme attention to his care and to whom he sang, entertained and teased these last few years; and to Knox Community Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit, where his last days were spent in comfort and peace thanks to the awesome nursing staff who served him with honor and dignity.
Visitation will take place with calling hours from 2–6 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, and one hour prior to the service at the Central Christian Church, 17833 Gambier Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.
A celebration of Eugene’s life will be held at the church on Monday, April 19, with Ken Springer and Andy Beatty officiating. A private family burial service will follow at Workman Cemetery in Danville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Eugene’s name to Central Christian Church and the Palliative Care Unit at Knox Community Hospital.
The Fischer Funeral Home in Danville is handling arrangements. Condolences can be shared with the family at fischerfuneralhome.com.
