Vere Woods

Vere Obed Woods, 89, of Edinboro, died Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Edinboro Manor. He was born in Waterford, PA on July 11, 1925, the son of the late Robert A. and Mary (Osborn) Woods.

Vere graduated from Edinboro High School in 1944.

In 1944, he was drafted into the US Army 75th Infantry Division where he was stationed in Germany for two years during WWII.  He served as a rifleman seeing action in the European Theatre of Operations.  He was awarded two Battle Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge. He gained another brother through his service to his country, George Sosebee, of Canton, GA.

He was the founder and operator of Woods Dairy Farm. In 1968, he and his wife Phyllis opened the Woods Dairy store.  It was a favorite for both local and Erie families to get fresh milk until the doors closed in 1983.

Vere sat on the Washington Township Council.  He was a DHIA Director, member of the Masonic Lodge No. 416, American Legion member and a Meadville Production Credit Director.  He was also a member of the Edinboro United Methodist Church and caretaker of the Draketown Cemetery for many years.

Vere had a passion for family and farming and had a natural ability to make others feel right at home in his company.  People seemed to be drawn to his incredibly selfless nature and sense of humor.  He was a dedicated family man and husband who cherished his wife, Phyllis. He leaves behind a legacy of respect, kindness and honesty for his sons and grandchildren.

Vere spent many hours on the farm and could often be spotted on a piece of John Deere equipment.  Despite his relentless work ethic, he still found time to do the things he loved, like square dancing and traveling with his wife and friends.  One of his prized possessions was his antique John Deere bicycle.  In his later years, he enjoyed golfing and was an avid spectator at the General McLane basketball games.

Vere was preceded in death by two sons, Rexford and Daniel Woods, three brothers, Paul, Glenn and Keith, and two sisters, Estella and Thora.

Survivors include his loving wife of 70 years, Phyllis J. (Gardner) Woods; two sons, Wynn Woods and his wife, Ruthann, and Dean Woods, all of Edinboro; a daughter-in-law, Renee Woods, also of Edinboro, and 8 grandchildren, Steven, Hannah and Hillary Woods, Joshua and Melissa Ennis, Sara and Elizabeth Woods, and Stephen Soliwoda; also, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that were like family.

Friends may call at the Edinboro United Methodist Church, 113 High St., Edinboro, on Sunday, from 7 to 9 p.m and on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A service will be held there on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Lisa Grant officiating. A Masonic service will be Monday at 8:30 p.m.
The Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Edinboro, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Burial will be in Draketown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Danny Woods Baseball Scholarship. To send condolences please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.

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