John A. Woodhall Jr. of Canton, passed away Nov. 21, at Affinity Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was 84.
Chairman of the Board of Central Allied Enterprises Inc. until his passing, Mr. Woodhall was involved in many civic, state and national organizations, including Minnesota Safety Council (chairman of the board), National Safety Council (two-term chairman of the board), Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (president), Associated General Contractors of America (life director), Boy Scouts of America (chairman of Lakota, Minn. district), Concrete Pavers Association of Minnesota (president), American Arbitration Association (arbitrator), Governor’s Board for OSHA (Minn.), Willmar (Minn.) Kiwanis Club (president), Mason and Shriner, and Order of the Eastern Star (past patron).
Mr. Woodhall also was an active member of St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church, where he volunteered in many capacities.
Born Oct. 10, 1929, in Peoria, Ill., John was raised in and most fond of his home state, Minnesota. A loving and compassionate husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Mr. Woodhall was known for his sense of humor and quick wit.
A former pilot, outdoorsman, Boy Scout, avid reader, car enthusiast, tinkerer and lover of beagles, Mr. Woodhall most recently pursued genealogy with a passion, and took great pride in his Norwegian and English heritage.
John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Donna, his high-school sweetheart; children, John III (Diane), and Susan of Minnesota, Cheryl (Jerry Orn), and Douglas of North Canton, Robert (Rhonda) of Louisville; grandchildren, Adam, Erik, and Ryan Woodhall, Matthew (Jayme), Joseph and Hallie Orn, Katie (Tyson) Woodhall-Abraham, Emmy, Molly and Eli Woodhall, Nicole (Phillip) Monroe, Kaylyn Woodhall; and great-grandchildren, Elsah, Sigourney, Liana, Mari, and Michael.
A memorial service honoring Mr. Woodhall’s life was held at St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church, 4600 Fulton Drive Northwest, Canton, on Nov. 26, Reverend Doctor Bruce R. Roth officiating.
Those wishing to remember Mr. Woodhall may donate in his name to Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church or the Grove Lake (Minn.) Chapel Foundation.
