Archie Woodin
Archie J. Woodin, 91, passed peacefully away on Jan. 17, 2018, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Born in Youngsville, Pa., on Dec. 4,1926, to H. Archie and Inez Hildum Woodin.
He married Elsie V. Ewer on March 25, 1948, in Bear Lake, Pa. She predeceased him in May 2008 after 60 years of marriage.
They had four children, John Woodin [Deceased 2016], Linda Wertz of Gold Canyon, Arizona, Virginia Craven [Deceased 2007] and Janet Hall of Plainfield, New Hampshire.
He is survived by a sister, Ethel Reed; two brothers, Ronald Woodin and Robert Woodin of Bear Lake, Pa.
He is preceded in death by a brother, Roger Woodin; and sisters, Patricia Woodin and Autumn Saunders. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Armand Wertz, Erie, Pa., Brandon Wertz, Oklahoma City, Okla., Shannon Wilson, Virginia Beach, Va., Lauren Grabrowski, Erie, Pa., Bryan Woodin, Bear Lake, Pa., Kimberly Gregory, Pittsfield, Pa., Stacey Woodin, Warren, Pa., and Jessica Burley, Tampa, Fla.; and 14 great-grandchildren.
His military career began in World War II. He served in the Western Pacific Theater in a Unit of AFWESPAC Headquartered in the Philippine Islands. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Sergeant. In 1953 he enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard as a Sergeant. In 1955 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and assigned as an Infantry Platoon Leader. He attended Company Officer’s School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1958, the Career Officer’s Course in 1964, and the Airmobile Operation Course in 1968. In 1970, he attended and graduated The Command and General Staff Officer’s College at Fort Leavenworth.
He commanded A Company in Warren and Corry, Pa., from 1961 through 1966. He was then assigned as a Staff Officer at Battalion Headquarters in Erie, Pa. He continued to advance through various assignments and in 1973 he was advanced to Battalion Commander and promoted to Lt. Colonel. He retired at the Ready Reserve in 1975.
He belonged to Veterans Organizations, which include the Military Officer Association, Life Member, VFW Sierra Vista, Life Member, and Falconer, N.Y., American Legion, Member.
After retirement he and Elsie wintered in Arizona before making their home in Sierra Vista, Ariz., in 2003.
Memorial Services will be held in Pennsylvania at a later date.