GENE WOODARD

Cecil Eugene “Gene” Woodard, 80 of La Belle, Mo., died in his home October 27, 2016. He was born July 22, 1936, in LaBelle, Mo., the son of Carl and Josephine Chambers Woodard and attended Knox City and La Belle schools. He was a graduate of La Belle High School and attended the University of Missouri. He was united in marriage to Janna Myers on December 19, 1954, in the La Belle Christian Church of which he was a member. He especially enjoyed going for drives in the country, checking the crops, his long horn Simmental cows, and cutting out newspaper clippings that felt his children or grandchildren would find relevant. He enjoyed genealogy, history and studying the plat map. He was engaged in Farming and Construction for several construction companies in this area including Freesen Brothers and Fred Weber. He was a 52 year member of the union (Carpenters Local 47). He counted as one of his greatest career accomplishments as having been involved with the building of the Bayview Bridge from the ground breaking to ribbon cutting. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Janna Woodard of LaBelle, Mo., seven children Susan Turpin- Mullenix of La Belle, Mo., Marjorie Ellison (Kevin) of Lewistown, Mo. Tim Woodard (Patti) of LaBelle, Mo., Jim Woodard (Violet) of Knox City, Mo., Terry Woodard (Debbie) of Holden, LA, Roger Woodard of Apex, NC, Kirby Woodard (Tina) of Albany, LA. Seventeen grandchildren, Clint, Cody and Cole Turpin. Charles Savage. Megan, Casey, Matthew, Bill, Ryan, Brad, and Michael Woodard, Paige Legg, Lucinda Cramsey, Kyle Ellison. Sarah Pflum, Rachel Albin, Dwayne James, thirty-five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, and two nephews Mark and Sam Bartz and a host of cousins. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law Bob Turpin, and his sister JoAnne Bartz. Funeral services were held October 30, 2016, in the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Mo. Pastor Paul Harvey officiated. Casket bearers: Clint Turpin, Cody Turpin, Cole Turpin, Charles Savage, Brad Woodard, Bill Woodard, Ryan Woodard, Kyle Ellison, Matthew Woodard, Michael Woodard and Dwayne James. Honorary bearers will be Jimmy Lindsey, Darrel Bevill, Max Edlin, Bobbie Pape, David Mitchell, and Delmar Florea. Burial will be in the LaBelle Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the LaBelle Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, MO 63447.