Thomas William Woodin (1933-2015)

WOODIN, SAUNDERS, FORSYTH, MCDANEL, SELENT, HILDRETH

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 9/22/2015 at 22:13:53

Pearson Funeral Service, Creston, Iowa

Thomas Woodin
October 7, 1933 - September 16, 2015

Thomas William Woodin, the son of Freeman Albert and Bertha Lillian (Saunders) Woodin, was born on October 7, 1933 in Framingham, Massachusetts. Rev. Thomas Woodin entered eternal rest on September 16, 2015, at his home in Creston, Iowa at the age of eighty-one years, eleven months and nine days.

Tom graduated from high school in Framingham, Massachusetts with the Class of 1951. On September 21, 1952, he married Roberta “Bobi” Forsyth at the First United Methodist Church, Saxonville, Massachusetts.

Tom and Bobi moved to Iowa, near Carroll, in 1953 to begin a career in house painting and wall paper hanging. Tom answered his call to ministry in January, 1955 serving the Pilot Mound/Mineral Ridge Methodist Churches as a student pastor. His second appointment was at Collins, Iowa while attending Simpson College where he received a Bachelor Degree in Sociology. He received his Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. While attending Wesley Seminary, he lived in Whitesville, Delaware serving three churches in that area. They returned to Iowa where Tom was ordained and served three churches: Nodaway, Brooks and Carbon Methodist Churches. Tom was next appointed to Moravia, Iowa where he served the Wesley and Fairview Methodist Churches; and the Grace and Salem United Methodist Churches. In 1973, Tom served the Odebolt First United Methodist Church until 1977 and then served the churches in Farragut, Riverton, Locust Grove and Summit. In June, 1980, Tom was appointed to serve in Cresco, Iowa serving the Cresco, Zion and Bonair United Methodist Church. They moved to Columbus Junction in 1987 and served Columbus Junction and Columbus City United Methodist Church. Tom was appointed to serve the First United Methodist Church in Creston in 1990 and retired in November, 1995.

Never idle, Tom served as the Interim Pastor at Fontanelle and Highland United Methodist Church after he retired. Also in retirement, Tom picked up his paint brushes again and rekindled his passion for painting. The fruits of his labor can still be seen in many houses in Creston.

Tom was an Associate of Pearson Family Funeral Service for many years where he continued to minister to many, including the funeral home staff, patrons, and all who were around him.

Tom was a former member of several different civic organizations and desired to serve his community, which led him to run for a seat on the Union County Board of Supervisors. Tom was instrumental in establishing the Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center. He served on the Board from 1981-1987 and was Past President from 1984-1987.

Left to cherish Tom’s memory is his wife of nearly sixty-three years, Roberta “Bobi” Woodin, Creston; his children: Tom (Sue) Woodin, Red Oak, IA; Stephen (Paula) Woodin, Des Moines, IA; Kathy Woodin, Creston; Jim (Kim) Woodin, Rainsville, AL; and Dean (Susan) McDanel, Pleasant Hill, IA; Sixteen Grandchildren; Twenty-two Great-Grandchildren; his brother, Albert (Linda) Woodin, Durham, NC; his sisters-in-law: Marty Woodin, Milford, MA; Jeanne Woodin, MA; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding Tom in death were his parents; Two sisters: Clara Selent and Lillian Hildreth; and one brother, Robert Woodin.