Elmer A. Woods
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away with his wife by his side on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He was 88 years old. Elmer A. Woods was born on January 11, 1934, in Wolverine, Michigan, to the late Alfred and Lottie (Anscomb) Woods. He attended Wolverine Public Schools until moving to Saginaw and graduating from Arthur Hill High School. He married the love of his life, Ingeborg Schmid, on April 17, 1956; she survives him. Elmer honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1955 – 1957 at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada, and spent an additional seven years in the Army National Guard. Throughout his service, he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class (E7), as well as receiving many awards and commendations. Elmer had a hard work ethic his entire life. As a young boy he drove a truck delivering ice to cabins in Wolverine. He was employed by General Motors for 37 years, retiring in 1988, as Assistant Superintendent after many years of loyal and dedicated service. After retirement, Elmer turned his love of building into a successful construction and building company which he ran with his son, Jeff, until his death. He was a faithful member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church for 57 years volunteering his time as an usher. He enjoyed playing cards, especially Euchre and Cribbage, but what he truly loved was supporting his favorite baseball team, the Detroit Tigers. Above all, Elmer treasured and cherished his wife, children, grandchildren, and family. He will forever be remembered for being honest and trustworthy for building beautiful homes, and for teaching those he loved the value of hard work and treating all people with respect and kindness.
Surviving besides his wife of 66 years, Ingeborg Woods of Saginaw, are five sons and one daughter, Robert Woods of Saginaw; Thomas Woods of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; John (Isabel Sance) Woods of Sharpsburg, GA; Kristine Woods of Teaticket, MA; Jeff (Sue) Woods of Saginaw; James (Roberta) Woods of Fountain, FL; daughter-in-law, Nancy Woods of Henrico, VA; 14 grandchildren: Nichole (Mark) Beltz, Zachary Woods, Natalie (PJ) Lemanski, Vincent Woods, Hannah Woods, Logan Woods, Stone Woods, Jeffrey Woods II, Kristopher Woods, Meagan Woods, Lisa Woods, Paige Medeiros, Kaitlyn Medeiros, and Genevieve Woods; five great-grandchildren: Hunter, Sophia, Harper, Beckett, and Niko; brother, Roy (Dorothy) Woods of Freeland; sister, Virginia (Thomas) Weaver of FL; three sisters-in-law, Joyce Woods of Fort Bragg, NC; Connie Woods of Saginaw; Betty Woods of Reese. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by a son, Albert Woods; four brothers, Aubrey, Cecil, George, and Marvin Woods; and a sister, Phylis (Don) Porterfield.
A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Road. Rev. Fr. Peter J. Gaspeny will officiate. Burial and Military Honors will follow at St. Andrew Cemetery under the auspices of the United States Army and American Legion Post #22. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Road on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Elmer will lie in state at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Muscular Dystrophy Association in honor of his grandson, Jeffery Woods II or to Swan Valley Athletic Association. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church, or through www.casefuneralhome.com.