Wendall Warren Woodall

Wendall Warren Woodall, age 90, of Monmouth, Illinois passed away at 11:25 am on May 24, 2015 at the Monmouth Nursing Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Wendall was born March 17, 1925 to Harold Isaac and Evadna Zulema (Cummins) Woodall in Webster City, IA. There he attended school until the family moved to the Janesville/Waseca MN area, to work on the Cummins family farm. Moving back to Webster City to attend high school, Wendall was involved in scouting and athletics. His senior year, the Webster City Lynx finished 2nd in the Iowa State High School Basketball tournament, losing to Mason City. Wendall was named to the Des Moines Register’s ‘All-State First Team.’ Following his high school graduation in 1943, Wendall signed on to be a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization, and was sent to their ‘farm club’ team in Johnson City, TN., where he played the summer season. On November 23, 1943, Wendall reported for active duty in the Army Air Corps, receiving training to become a gunner on a B-29 bomber. The squadron he was assigned to operated in the Pacific Theatre, flying sorties to bomb Japan from various islands in the western Pacific. On one of their missions, the plane was so badly damaged that they ‘limped back’ as far as Iwo Jima, which had not yet been secured by the U.S. invasion forces. On only two of their four engines, and with several tires shot up, they safely landed on a shell-damaged runway. This effort earned the entire crew the "Distinguished Flying Cross". He was Honorably Discharged on January 15, 1946. ‘Woody’ returned home to attend college, majoring in education. He first attended Drake University from 1946-47, then completed his B.A from Iowa State Teacher’s College (now UNI) in 1949. On May 30, 1948, he married Dorothy Lois Parker, his high school sweetheart, in Webster City, IA. From 1950-55, Woody taught industrial arts and physical education in Denison, IA; then followed Glenn Stavenhagen from Denison to Monmouth, a place that "Stavie" had described as, "a nice little town, where it would be great to raise kids." Monmouth is where Woody raised his family and lived out the rest of his life. As a teacher at Monmouth High school from 1955 to 1971, his career included industrial arts, physical education, head baseball coach, sophomore basketball coach, and varsity football assistant. During that time, he seemed to interact with each and every student who passed through the halls. Retiring from coaching in 1971, Woody began officiating with a Monmouth-based crew, refereeing football and basketball games in the surrounding area. Throughout his career, he achieved the positions of Dean of Boys, Vice-Principal, and in 1971, Woody became Principal of Garfield Elementary School. He served as the administrator at both Garfield and Willitts Elementary schools, and retired from Willitts in 1984. Among his most treasured memories was hearing from former players and students. It filled him with pride to hear stories of their lives, achievements, and growing families. Woody’s hobbies included golf, fishing in Canada, and other outdoor activities. He maintained his lawn to a fault; some say he wore out the grass! As a proud veteran, Woody was a Life Member of VFW Post 2301, and a member of American Legion Post 136, both of Monmouth.

Wendall Woodall is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy; two sons, Bill, of Dallas, TX, Dana, (Chris) of Woodstock, IL; two grandsons, Parker and Kyle; sister Verlene Niebuhr of Keokuk, IA; sister Ardeth (George) Vest of Iowa Falls, IA; three nieces, Lisa (Greg) Niebuhr-Theis, Annette Niebuhr, and Vickie Vest; two nephews, Mark (Veronica) Niebuhr, and Richard Vest. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Robert Vest.

Many thanks for the kindness shown to Woody by the staff of Courtyard Estates and Monmouth Nursing Home. He was treated with dignity and respect.

A private family funeral service will be celebrated by his family.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held in his honor on Friday, July 3, 2015, from 4 to 7 pm, at VFW Post 2301, Monmouth IL.

The public is invited to share their memories. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com