Edward John Woods

Edward John Woods, 71, of Washington, died unexpectedly, Sunday, June 10, 2007, in his residence. He was born June 25, 1935, in Brookville, a son of John Joseph and Florence Snyder Woods. Mr. Woods graduated from Eldred Township High School, Sigel, PA, in a class of 12 students, and received his bachelor�s and master�s degrees in agriculture from Penn State University. In 1956, he was Champion Showman in Little International held at Penn State. He was a fieldman for the American Polled Hereford Cattle Association in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Woods joined Penn State Cooperative Extension in Cambria County in 1957, transferred to the Butler County Extension Office, and then became Executive Director for Washington County Extension Office, retiring in 1984. Mr. Woods served with the United States Army in Potsdam and Berlin during the Cold War. He was active in church, community and agricultural affairs. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion, past president and chairman of Penn State Stockmen Club, and Knights of Columbus, where he served as financial secretary. Mr. Woods was editor of the weekly Town and Country news column in the Observer-Reporter for 22 years and founder of the Washington County Farmers� Market, Horse/Equine Symposium Program and Sheep Shearing School. He judged livestock and horse shows in three states and was active as a wool grader and sheep shearer instructor. On January 28, 1961, he married Patricia Kozak, who survives. Also surviving are three children, John (Cindy) Woods of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Sheila (Richard) Miller of Brighton, Michigan, and Michael (Julia) Woods of Murphy, Texas; three grandchildren, Adelyn Marie Woods, Reed Edward Miller and Reece Evan Miller. Deceased area brother, Clair Crawford; and three sisters, Phyllis Thompson, Helen Olson and Rose Pearsall. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2007, in Immaculate Conception Church, Washington. Interment will be private. Knights of Columbus #1083 will hold services at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to 4-H Development Fund of Washington County, 100 West Beau Street, Suite 601, Washington, PA 15301, or to Immaculate Conception Church, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington, PA 15301.