Gail Woods, 77

Gail Eugene Woods, 77, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly early Friday morning, May 20, 2011, at his home. 

He was born Sept. 4, 1933, in Sturgis, a son of the late Gerald and Genivieve (Poe) Woods. 

Gail had resided his whole life in the Sturgis, and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1951. 

On Nov.26, 1975, he married Debra Brill in Sturgis. 

Following 31 years of dedicated employment as engineer manager at Machine Rite Company in LaGrange, Ind., he retired March 1, 1999. Prior to joining Machine Rite, he had been employed by the Kirsch Company in Sturgis as a tool and die maker. 

Gail was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, earning the rank of Private First Class. He enjoyed boating, traveling, woodworking, fishing and working around his home and was known for being able to fix most anything. 

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 35 years, Debra; three children from a previous marriage; a brother, Earl (Elaine) Woods of Sturgis; his father and mother-in-law, Bob and Naomi Brill of LaGrange, Ind.; a brother-in-law, Mike (Sandi) Brill of Leesburg, Ind.; and nephews Chris Brill and Cameron Brill, both of Leesburg. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Donald Woods and Robert Woods. 

The family will receive friends from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Gail Woods will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Rev. Robert Keim of First United Methodist Church in Sturgis will officiate. 

A graveside committal will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery in LaGrange, where full military honors will be conferred by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW. 

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Woods’ memory consider the charity of one’s choice. His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.