Chester J Woodward

Chester J. Woodward, 85, of Harvard, Nebraska died Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, NE. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Harvard United Church of Christ, with Pastor Dave Johnson officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, July 4th from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Alberding-Wilson Funeral home in Harvard. Burial will be in the First Evangelical Cemetery northwest of Harvard with military rites at the graveside. Memorials may be given to the Harvard United Church of Christ. Condolences may be sent to www.brandwilson.com. Mr. Woodward was born on September 30, 1924 in Valentine, NE, the third of six children, to Charles and Clara (Rowland) Woodward and grew up in Spalding, NE. He had one older sister Ava, one younger brother Ralph, and two younger sisters, Hazel and Lila. One older brother Charles died at birth. In 1943, Chester moved to Springfield, MO to work on a dairy farm. In 1944, he was drafted into the US Military and served in the Navy during World War II. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Woodward joined his family in Harvard, NE where he began working at the Naval Ammunition Depot east of Hastings, NE. There, he met his wife, Shirley F. Bieck, and they were married on February 2, 1948 in Harvard, NE. When the Ammunition Depot closed in 1966, Chester began working at the Tech School (Central Community College). He served in many departments including maintenance, security and the fire department, serving as one of the fire chiefs for several years. Chester retired in 1989 but continued to farm in Harvard. Chester was involved in various Harvard organizations. They include the American Legion, the VFW, School Board, Nursing Home Board, and the UCC church. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, one son, Duane Woodward, and his wife Sharon, three daughters, Charlotte Madden, and her husband, Bill; Bonnie Campbell, and her husband Leonard; and Connie Ayer, and her husband, Lloyd; and adopted daughter Kim (Mihm) Emil, and her husband Craig. Grandchildren include Paul Woodward and his wife Nicole; Brenda Woodward and her fianc(c) Mike Witkowski; Tim Madden and his wife Angie, Travis Madden, and his wife Becky, Tasha (Madden) Zdan and her husband Jeff; Roxanna Campbell, Carl Campbell, Christine Campbell, Leonie (Campbell) Kelso, her fianc(c) Shawn Price, David Campbell; Heather (Ayer) Ashley; Tanner Ayer and his wife Brianna; Natasha Emil, Richard Emil and Rex Emil. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren. Chester was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Clara Woodward, his sisters Ava, Hazel and Lila, brothers Charles and Ralph.