Woodrow 'Woody' Shearer

SHEARER, HANFT, OGILVIE

Posted By: David L. Skipton (email)
Date: 12/29/2010 at 01:18:04

Source: The Columbus Gazette

Woodrow “Woody” Shearer, 97, of Columbus Junction, Iowa, died Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the Colonial Manor Care Center in Columbus Junction.

At his request, there will be a private family graveside service for Woody at Columbus City Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church with the Rev. Al Coffin officiating. There will be no visitation. Following the memorial service there will be a luncheon for everyone at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Colonial Manor Assisted Living Center at the Community Bank, P.O. Box 268, Columbus Junction, IA 52738 in Woody’s name. Online condolences may be left to the Shearer family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

Woodrow Jacob Shearer was born February 5, 1913, in Columbus Junction, IA, the son of Brainard “B.H.” and Maude Sarah (Hanft) Shearer. Woody graduated from Columbus Junction High School in 1931. In 1936, he graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College where he was a member of Theta Kappa Nu, now Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. His senior year, he was elected president of the Student Council. He served in World War II from 1941 to 1946 as a member of the 701st Military Police Battalion. Woodrow met Adelaide Ogilvie, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Washington, D.C. where she was serving with the American Red Cross. They were married on May 20, 1946 in Dubuque, IA and returned to Columbus Junction. Woody became postmaster in Columbus Junction during the Truman administration in November 1949, and he retired from the U. S. Postal Service in March 1976. Throughout his years in the community Woodrow was involved with the Columbus Gazette, assisting his father B.H. Shearer, editor and publisher for over 60 years, and later his brother, Bill. Woody was an active citizen involved in many Columbus community and Louisa County organizations. As a life long Democrat he served as Louisa Co. Chairman for several years, and he was a 50+ member of both the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. Baptized in the Methodist church, Woodrow was a life long active member of the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church. His life was guided by a few simple philosophies, always be a gentleman, help others, be faithful, don't complain and look for the best in everyone. He exhibited a quiet confidence and had an optimistic uncomplicated outlook on life. Each day was a good day.

Honoring Woodrow’s memory are his nephews, Tom Robertson and wife, Judy of Lodi, CA, Jon Robertson and wife, Luisa of Coral Springs, FL, and Mark Shearer and wife, Tatiana of Clive, IA; his nieces, Jane (Shearer) Moon and husband, Mike of Colorado Springs, CO and Lynne (Robertson) Shoultz and husband, Dave of Johnston, IA; his sister-in-law, Barbara Shearer of Washington, IA; and good friend, Nancy Ludwick of Columbus Junction.

Woodrow was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Adelaide; his sister, Marine Robertson; and brothers, Bill and Paul.