Neal-Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home Reporting
news@clarksvillenow.com
Ernest L. Woodward, age 83 of Clarksville, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2015 at his residence.
He was born June 10, 1931, in McPherson County, SD, to the late Lail “Bud” Woodward and Myrtle Anderson Woodward.
Ernie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, where he was an elder and served on the social ministry board as well as the church council. Ernie was one of the founders and first president of the Clarksville Big Brothers / Big Sisters board. He was also active in many other local organizations, including Urban Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Clarksville Millenium Committee, Nashville Area Aging Council, Council of Community Service, the Clarksville Civitan Club, and Buddy Ball. He was a multi-gallon blood donor for the American Red Cross.
Ernie coached baseball for years; he was a life-long Yankee fan and he loved teaching baseball skills to kids. He coached a state championship team in both North Dakota and Tennessee.
Ernie served in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.
Ernie received his BS degree from Ellendale State Teachers College in 1956, his MS from the University of North Dakota in 1957, and his EDD from Florida State University in 1964.
Ernie taught at Ellendale State Teachers College and at Austin Peay State University until he retired in 1996. He was a member of the National Council of Teachers of Math, the Middle Tennessee Math Teachers, and the Tennessee Math Teachers Association. He served on the editorial board for the Math Teachers Magazine. He was author or co-author of several mathematics texts. He was awarded the APSU Distinguished Professor Award, Richard Hawkins Creative Award, and the student-chosen Apple Award.
Ernie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn Woodward; three daughters, Kristi (Gene) Totherow of Chattanooga, TN, Lori Hilber of Franklin, TN, and Marci (Richard) Wozniak of Chattanooga, TN; sister, Joanne (Don) Anderson of Fargo, ND; seven grandchildren, Matt Wozniak of Annapolis, MD, Philip Wozniak of Clarksville, TN, Jennifer (Brian) Magochy of Spring Hill, TN, Kelsey (Caleb) Larson of Houston, TX, Ryan Hilber of Franklin, TN, Joshua Hilber of Astoria, OR, and Jordan (Lisa) Hilber of Portland, OR; one great-grandchild; brother-in-law, Curt Neumann; and sister-in-law, Sandra DeForest.
Funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9 at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry Peters officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8 at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, and from 2:30 p.m. until the hour of service on Thursday, April 9 at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 2041 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37043; Scholarship Funds of the APSU Mathematics Department, 601 College Street, Clarksville, TN 37044; AseraCare Hospice, 1539 Ashland City Road, Suite C, Clarksville, TN 37040; or the Alzheimer’s Association, 4825 Trousdale Drive, Nashville, TN 37220.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488.
Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.