Stan Woodard

Stan Woodard was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a natural passion for people as well as the outdoors. Spending time with his family meant everything to him and he treasured their special time together over the years. His warm personality and steadfast love will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

The 1940s were characterized by WWII. Some of the most significant inventions that would impact lives for many years to come were created during this time period including the transistor and the mobile phone. Lloyd and Mildred (Burdick) Woodard were delighted when their son, Stan, arrived on April 5, 1946, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His birth brought them great joy and happiness.

During his childhood, Stan learned the value of a hard day’s work. He and his brother spent their mornings before school picking grapes or asparagus in the fields. Growing up in the old schoolhouse in Texas Corners, there was never a dull moment. He spent a majority of his teen years on Paw Paw Lake where he learned how to barefoot water ski as well as work on cars. He enjoyed these days learning to work with his hands.

Stan met his sweetheart, Peggy, while attending high school. Smitten by his big blue eyes, they were inseparable. He had a great laugh and a devilish grin and with only ten bucks in his wallet, the two of them married. Stan and Peggy spent their fifty-nine married years building a beautiful life together and raising two wonderful children, Julie and Troy.

A strong provider, Stan worked as a truck driver for Georgia Pacific for over 30 years. He loved the work and also enjoyed fixing his trucks over the years. He kept a meticulous barn of tools and always put back each piece exactly in the same spot after it was fully cleaned. When Julie was young, she’d get under the cars with him and get oil all over herself! Good with his hands, he worked on cars on the side so he could have a new house built for his family in 1969. He lived with a frugal nature, always stretching every dollar to provide the extras for his growing family. Stan was even known to duct tape his shoes and chew only half a piece of gum at a time in order to make each penny count. These years of living within his means gave him the freedom to purchase his own family cabin near Baldwin to enjoy for many years. The cabin became the favorite place for many bow and rifle hunting trips. His hunting buddies included his son and son-in-law. They also savored time on the Pere Marquette River, kayaking and canoeing. Whenever Stan was with his family his heart was content.

Back at home, Stan’s perfectionist instincts were evident everywhere you looked. He always kept up the yard and took excellent care of his tractor. He never put it away with even a stray blade of grass on it! He enjoyed Peggy’s delicious home cooked meals as well as her homemade molasses cookies for dessert! When it came to cravings, he had a sweet tooth and never turned down mini-powdered donuts in the morning or snacking on Ritz crackers throughout the day. As they entered into their later years, Stan and Peggy enjoyed being snowbirds at their Florida retirement home where he was known to treat their golf cart with the same attention to detail as he did his tractor! He’d wipe off the morning dew and keep it looking spotless between trips around their local neighborhood.

Throughout his life, Stan enjoyed many special pastimes. He was a huge fan of dirt bikes and owned a Triumph. A highlight was riding his Triumph to the Indy 500! Another favorite time was riding the motorcycle up north and taking it across beautiful Lake Michigan on the SS Badger. He kept his passion for cars alive and well by attending car shows and never missed the annual street rod festival held each year at the Kalamazoo Fair Grounds. His grandson, Hunter, always said he was going to buy Poppy a ‘32 Ford Coupe when he got rich. Stan loved sharing his hobbies and special interests with his family.

Although Stan was a fierce warrior in his fight against Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, eventually he lost the ability to see well enough to drive and handle basic tasks. He never complained and remained optimistic, although the disease progressed. A devoted husband, a wonderful parent, and a perfect grandpa, and great-grandpa, there was no doubt that Stan loved his family. Sadly, he is gone and will be dearly missed by his loved ones. May they never doubt the love he held for each and every one of them and may his memories be eternal.

Stanley Woodard, age 76, of Schoolcraft, Michigan, died peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on March 26, 2023. Surviving are his wife, Peggy; children: Julie (Roger) Van and Troy (Kendra) Woodard; grandchildren: Travis Van, Jessie (Jake) DeKoning, Hunter (Sarah) Van; his great-granddaughters–his “sweethearts,” McKinlee and Blakely DeKoning; brother, Paul (Darlene) Woodard; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his loving parents.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 4-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Private burial at Hope Cemetery. Visit Stan’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories and photos and sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics Michigan Area 16 or Centrica Care Navigators.