CMSgt Ivan L. Woods, USAF (Ret), 90, of Belleville, IL, born April 20, 1934, in Tipton, IN, died Saturday, January 4, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, O’Fallon, IL.
Chief Woods graduated from Jefferson High School (Go B-R-O-N-C-H-O-S!), Lafayette, IN in 1953 and earned an associate’s degree at Belleville Area College in 1977 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981 from McKendree University, Lebanon, IL.
He served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 28 years, earning the enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He was stationed in Japan, England, Okinawa, Vietnam, Hawaii and many other states. Upon retirement, he embarked on a second career in civil service as a Financial Budget Systems Manager at Hq MAC/FMBS and retired at Scott AFB for good in 1991.
Ivan enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He had an active relationship with all of his children, who sometimes had to make appointments with him because of his busy social life. He always enjoyed a good (or bad) cigar, a cold gin martini, an Indiana tenderloin, old radio shows, old movies, woodworking, creating art, cheering for his favorite professional sports teams and always the teams his grandchildren were on.
Ivan was a member of the St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. He never met a stranger and leaves behind many friends, especially at PSOP where he attended dances, played bingo and went on trips.
He was a member of numerous organizations including Scott Chiefs Group, Fraternal Order of the Moose, Lodge 1222, Belleville Knights of Columbus, Monsignor Leonard A. Bauer Council 1028 and served as a Fourth Degree Knight in the Bishop Janssen General Assembly 0199. He was a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, Retired Enlisted Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, NCOA, NARFE and VFW Post 1739, Belleville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 59 years, Dorothy A., nee Smith, Woods, whom he married on April 24, 1954; and his parents, Crissie M. Woods and Bernice M., nee Teter, Woods and a brother, Edward D. Saxton.
Surviving are his children: Rebecca L. (Ronnie) Stimpson of Troy, IL, Anthony A. (Kathy) Woods of Belleville, IL, Constance E. Woods of Belleville, IL, Stephen T. (Peggy) Woods of Belleville, IL, and Christopher A. (Jayna) Woods of Belleville, IL; nine grandchildren; Melissa (Mike) George of Troy, IL, Jacob (Melissa) Stimpson of Columbia, IL, Joe (Kristin) Woods of Oakville, MO, Jessica (Pat Panatera) Woods of Chicago, IL, Michelle (Alex Brown) Woods of Columbia, MO, Amie (Tim) Worley of Belleville, IL, Lee (Jenna) Woods of Apollo Beach, FL, Ryan Woods of Wichita Falls, TX, and Chris (Mayra) Busch of Pflugerville, TX; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois – www.veteranshonorflight.org.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Service: A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
