Derlin “Woody” F. Wooden

Derlin “Woody” F. Wooden, age 83, of Grand Island, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024, at CHI Skilled Care.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 27, at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island with Dan Naranjo officiating. A graveside service with military honors followed at Westlawn Memorial Park. Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society. Condolences can be left at www. giallfaiths.com.

Derlin F. Wooden was born in Grand Island on September 7, 1940, to Harry and Florence (Billington) Wooden. Derlin attended grade school in Grand Island and then moved to a farm north of Cairo and went to high school at Cairo, graduat- ing with the class of 1958. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was honorably discharged from the National Guard in November 1964.

On August 26, 1961, he was united in marriage to Janet Booth at the Reformed Evangelical Church in Rockville.

They spent most of their married life in Grand Island. Derlin worked at Redman Industries, Army Ammunition Plant, and Overheard Doors from 1975-1998. His last employment was with Central Community College in Hastings teaching truck driving, which he really enjoyed until his retirement at age 70.

He was a family man and family vacations were mainly spent with his brothers and sisters and their families in Oregon, Oklahoma, Washington, and Louisiana.

Derlin was a coach for Little League baseball for over 10 years. He enjoyed watching Little League games played in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the College World Series in Omaha.

Derlin was baptized as a baby and was a member of Trinity Methodist Church for over seventy-five years.

He loved shopping garage sales and had a few of his own. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a member of the Platt-Duetsche and past member of the Eagles Club. He enjoyed going on trips to the casino and playing cards, especially poker and pitch. Derlin and Janet were members of a pitch group in Cairo for over 10 years.

Those who cherish his memory include his wife, Janet; sons, Timothy (Patty) Wooden and Michael (Sonya) Wooden; granddaughters, Allison Lynn and Blakeley Hope; grandsons, Christian Lee, Graceson Luke and Jeremiah Jacob; a brother, Gilbert (Cathy) Wooden; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Derlin was welcomed into Heaven by his parents; brothers, Ted, Harold, and Clark; sisters, Lois and Virgie; and granddaughter, Ashley Sky.