Charles P. Woodson, 92, of Laguna Woods, CA, died Sunday, April 8, 2018, at home.
Chuck was born May 3, 1925, In Sterling, IL, to Palmer and Venettia Woodson. His early education was in the Morrison, IL, grade schools. When the Depression hit, the Woodson family moved to Albuquerque, NM. During the early years of WWII, while in High School, he worked for Western Union, riding his bicycle to deliver telegrams (most announcing Killed in Battle deaths.) During his senior year, the family moved to Long Beach, CA, so his father and older sister Lorraine could work in the airplane manufacturing plant. Upon graduation from Long Beach Poly Tech in 1943, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and trained at Camp Maxy, TX. Prior to being shipped overseas, his twin sister Charlene suggested to her Morrison elementary school friend Elizabeth (Betty) Forth that she write to Chuck while he was in the service. A long-distance romance was sparked. Chuck maneuvered multiple weekend passes to enable him to travel from Florida to Morrison to visit Betty before shipping out, and their fate was sealed. He served in Italy and Greece at the close of WWII. Rome was declared an open city by the time he arrived. As a Reservist, Chuck was called back into the Army from September 1950 until September 1951 for the Korean Conflict. Chuck and Betty were married in Morrison on March 9, 1947. She died February 6, 2013.
Chuck was employed by Goodenough Dairy prior to working for the U. S. Post Office for 35 years. Many in Morrison will remember him manning the window for years, prior to becoming a Rural Route Carrier. Chuck cared deeply for his community. He served as 4th Ward Alderman for over 20 years and many years as President of the Morrison Recreation Association. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, American Legion Post #328, Kiwanis, Morrison Community Theater Association, and he helped form the Hospice of the Rock River Valley. Many will also remember Chuck as their house painter. Chuck enjoyed bowling, rolle bolle, and fishing. After 59 years residing in the first house in the “tree” streets on Pine Street, he and Betty moved to Laguna Woods in 2012 along with daughter Maralee.
Survivors include son Daryl Woodson of Iowa City, IA, and daughters Maralee Hill of Laguna Woods, and Wendy (Dan) Maher of Irvine, CA; five grandchildren, Nathan(Jodi) Ivey, Megan (Richard) Bankus, Nick Ivey, Jeremy Hill, and Alex Hill; two great-grandchildren, Max Bankus and Miles Bankus; his twin sister, Charlene (Derl) Derr of Pennsylvania.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth; parents, Palmer and Venettia; one sister, Lorraine Winston.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
A Memorial Service is tentatively planned for June 2018 at First Presbyterian Church in Morrison, IL.