Services were held Sept. 16 at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson for Harold G. Woodruff, 95, of Jefferson.
Words of comfort were offered by the Rev Julia Poulsen, pastor of the church. Gary Haupert was soloist, accompanied by Sheryl Sloan. Honorary bearer was his granddaughter Joy Campbell, deceased.
Casket bearers were Harold’s grandchildren April Burnett, Ryan Woodruff, Jamie Rattanapamonsook, Matthew Woodruff, Megan Woodruff, Kyle Campbell, Kristofer Campbell, Danielle Durbala O’Hara and Jennifer Durbala.
Military rites were provided by a United States Army Honor guard, American Legion Post 11 and Jefferson V.F.W. Post 9599. Interment will be at a later date at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
Doug Tucker presided at a Masonic service the evening prior to the services.
Harold G. Woodruff was born Jan. 22, 1922, in Omaha, NE, to David Woodruff and Beatrice Pugsley Woodruff.
Harold attended school in Davenport, but joined the United States Army in his junior year of high school. He spent five years in the service, three of them in Kodiak, AK. After his military service he took tests to get his high school diploma so he could enter college at Drake University in Des Moines. While going to college, he worked at Nelson’s Drug in Beaverdale. During the time that Harold was in school at Drake University, Mary Duvall was working at Veterans Hospital. The couple met in Nelson’s Drug Store. Harold and Mary were married July 17, 1949, at First Methodist Church in Des Moines. They lived on 25th Street near Drake, and Harold continued with his education.
After graduation from Pharmacy College, Harold worked in several pharmacies in Iowa. In September of 1957, Harold and Mary bought Potter Drug in Jefferson, having decided Jefferson was where they wanted to raise their family and grow with the community.
Harold was an active member of the Iowa Pharmacists Association, serving as president 1970 – 1971. In 1981 he received the Pharmacy A.H. Robins “Bowl of Hygeina” Award. He served as president of the Academy of Long Term Care from 1980 – 1981. Harold retired April 1, 1986, and sold the store to Hy-Vee Drugtown.
Harold and Mary were married more than 68 years. They are the parents of three sons and two daughters. Harold was active as he raised his family serving as Cub Master, Webelos leader and numerous scout committees. He was a Campfire dad and Rainbow dad. Harold and Mary chaperoned many school parties, worked at ball games, taught Sunday School, hosted a Rotary exchange student from Brazil for three months, and a Japanese girl for three weeks through International Experiment. They traveled to every state in the United States and many countries overseas.
Harold is a 60+ year member of Morning Star Lodge #159 A.F. & A.M. He belonged to Commandery, Shrine and Scottish Rite.
He belonged to Lions Club for more than 60 years, being very active in light bulb sales, pancake supper and other activities. He served as Lions president in Forest City from 1956 – 1957.
Harold joined the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce upon moving to town in 1957, and was an active member throughout his career. He was part of the People to People Tour, Jefferson Industry director and president of the Jefferson Chamber in 1982. He received Boss of the Year award in 1980, and was awarded the ABC Award in 1983. He also was a member of the Jefferson Ambassadors and served as president in 1986.
Harold was actively involved in bringing new businesses and industry to Greene County. He served the community in many other areas, including Jefferson school board (as president), Civilian Law Enforcement Patrol, and the mental health board. He served on the alumni advisor board to Drake University from 1980 – 1983.
Harold was an active member of the First United Methodist Church throughout his life in Jefferson. He served as a lay leader, trustee chairman, conference delegate, and was active in Handy Dandys and numerous other church activities.
Harold Woodruff passed away Sept. 12, 2017, in Jefferson. He was 95 years of age.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Louise Woodruff Barnett and Grace Woodruff Johnston; and granddaughter, Joy Campbell.
Survivors include wife Mary Woodruff of Jefferson; children Alan (Judy) Woodruff of Columbia, TN, David (Pam) Woodruff of Cape Coral, FL, Scott (Kim) Woodruff of Kansas City, MO, Kay (Kelly) Campbell of Panora, and Susan (Doug) Durbala of Mankato, MN; grandchildren April (John) Burnett, Ryan (Abby) Woodruff, Jamie (Niw) Rattanapamonsook, Mathew Woodruff, Megan Woodruff, Kyle (Stephanie) Campbell, Kristofer (Christinia) Campbell, Danielle Durbala (Gregg) O’Hara, and Jennifer Durbala; 17 great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson
