John L. Woods

John L. Woods, 81, of Bridgman, passed away Saturday, April 07, 2012 at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph. Celebration of Life Services will be held 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at New Troy Cemetery in New Troy. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Lakeshore Athletic Department. Those wishing to sign John’s Memory Book online may do so at www.stark-menchinger.com. John was born April 11, 1930 in Niles, Michigan to Joel & Pearl (Prenkert) Woods. He graduated from New Troy High School in 1948, Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI, and earned his Masters from Western Michigan University. On August 27, 1955, he married the former Anne Jacobs in Cotter, Arkansas. John began his career in education in 1957 as a teacher at Lakeshore High School. He served as principal at Stewart Elementary for one year, and as principal at Lakeshore Jr. High School from 1966 until his retirement in 1991. He also served for many years as Baseball Coach, Assistant Basketball Coach and as announcer for the basketball & football games. He was an avid Lakeshore Sports Fan. John was a member & past president of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, fishing, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. John is survived by his wife Anne; two daughters-Kim (Randy) Paruch of Jenison, MI, Melissa Tucker of Stevensville; and six grandchildren-Zach & Christina Paruch, Michelle, Ashley, Ryan & John Tucker. He was preceded in death by his parents.