WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Arlene Woods, age 87, of Osceola, Indiana and a former resident of
Sturgis passed away Thursday evening December 17, 2009 at Riverside
Village in Elkhart, Indiana.
She was born March 17, 1922 in LaGrange County, Indiana a daughter to
the late Robert and Letta (Carper) Leer.
Mrs. Woods had resided in South Bend, Indiana, White Pigeon, Chesapeake,
Virginia, Sturgis and her early life was spent in Brighton, Indiana and
she graduated from Brighton High School with the class of 1940.
She was first married to Herbert Riley in Dayton, Ohio. He died in 1966.
In 1970 she married Charles Woods in Constantine and he died in 1991.
She retired in 1987 following 27 years of dedicated employment with Gray
Brothers Stamping in White Pigeon.
Mrs. Woods enjoyed fishing and camping.
She is survived by One Daughter; Teresa (Dennis) Ely of Osceola, One
Son; David (Karen) Riley of Bowling Green, Ohio, Seven Grandchildren;
Jeffrey Riley, Timothy Riley, Amy Brown, Elizabeth Michalec, Erin Clark,
Matthew Ely and Wendi Osgatharp, One Sister; Catherine Clark of
Constantine, One Brother; E.C. (Mary Alice) Leer of Sturgis and several
nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, one son; Robert
Riley, two sisters; Pauline Long and Mildred Leer and one brother;
Monroe “Bud” Leer.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 A.M.-10:45 A.M. Monday at the
*Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd.,
Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-3284* where funeral services celebrating the
life of Arlene Z. Woods will begin at 11:00 A.M. Monday. The Rev.
Michael Klafehn of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis will
officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at English
Prairie Cemetery in Howe, Indiana.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs.
Woods’ memory consider the White Pigeon Band Boosters c/o: Mrs. Denise
Lewis, 301 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Services of Northern, Indiana, 922 E. Colfax, South Bend, IN 46617.
