Charles V. Woodward III

A Celebration of Life Service for Charles V. (Woody) Woodward III, age 76, of Fairmont, MN, will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fairmont. Following the lunch there will be military honors provided by the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1222 and ringing of the bell at the Martin County Veterans Memorial in Fairmont. Burial will then be held at Westford Cemetery in rural Truman, MN. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Lakeview Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.
Easter Sunday is a day everyone puts on their finest clothes, people celebrate our Risen Savior, and in 1949, the world received a wonderful gift-Woody "Charles Vanderbelt" Woodward III. Woody was the second child and only son born to Charlie and Liz Woodward.
Woody's early life was pretty normal. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Moved with the family to Wilmette, Illinois in 1957. Around the time the family moved to Fairmont, Minnesota in 1962, Woody was enrolled in St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. Little did anyone know, the military would help shape and mold this young man into a man of honor and service.
After Military Academy and a brief stint at Mankato State University, in 1968 Woody enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk - CV-63. The navy, the fellow soldiers and the Kitty Hawk would grow to become a huge part of his life and every fiber of his being. His tour took him to Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin. If this was the beginning of his military story, Agent Orange would write the end of the story, but more on that later.
Woody worked for a time selling insurance. He came to work for Woodward Broadcasting and KSUM Radio around the time his father's life was winding down. Shortly after Charlie died, Woody grew to fill huge shoes and became station manager. He, along with many, helped Charlie's FM dream become a reality with the launch of KFMC...K-FM-Charlie.
His radio career was storied. He earned many industry accolades. His greatest honors were being inducted into the Museum of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011 and named to the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He was well known in community and professional circles for his involvement in Fairmont, Martin County and the entire broadcasting area.
The greatest joy in his life came in the unlikeliest of places, the kitchen of the VFW. It was there he met Joann Morrall. After a few missteps in remembering her name (oh Woody!) she wrote it down on a guest check and stuffed it in his pocket. He kept that piece of paper as one of his prized possessions. They were married in Billings, Montana not once, but twice by the Honorable Pedro R. Hernandez; once over the dinner table when he proudly decided they were a married couple, and officially on summer of 2014. Woody just shook his head when he planned their wedding night in a local bridal suite, and the clerk asked how many people would be checking in with him.
Now the promise to get back to Agent Orange. It is a sad, but all too common tale. Woody knew it only too well and knew it about so many of his shipmates. The symptoms varied some, but so many were the same: Heart disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, neuropathy, and COPD. He lived with these diseases for so many years and there was precious to little recognition by the government for Blue Water Navy. Woody filed for disability then got to work doing the research to help prove he was exposed even though he was on the ship. When the government finally gave recognition to sailors, Woody was deemed disabled, which allowed him to receive amazing care from the VA. He didn't stop there; he started to help shipmates get the recognition they deserved.
Woody knew the brotherhood of the military was vast in southern Minnesota. He helped spearhead an all-veteran's picnic, bringing together the DAV, VFW, and American Legion. The first picnic fed more than 500 veterans from across south central Minnesota. He was heavily involved in the planning, setup and operation of the picnic until this year. This year his health redefined his roll to greeter. Woody was proud to be a member in ALL active military organizations.
Woody and Joann donated a bell for the Martin County Veterans Memorial on the Navy side. When a veteran's funeral occurred, Woody would try to go and toll the bell. Eight rings signifying end of watch.
Woody's end of watch was October 23, 2025, in the VA Hospice center in Sioux Falls, SD. His family was with him to the end. He so wanted to watch the Vikings beat the Chargers, but it was simply not in the cards.
Woody is survived by his loving wife, Joann, children Dani (Tim) Luniewski, Lee (Lindsay) Woodward, Georgette (Dan) Benidt; Shane (Mari) Schofield; Joe Morrall, Allison (Chad) Naber; grandchildren Kyla Kainz (Ellie), Aidan Haase, Gibson Haase, Madden Woodward, Ari Woodward, Derek Benidt, Marissa Benidt, Hunter Schofield, Maiah Schofield, Jackson Morrall, Owen Morrall, Michael Naber, Catie Naber, Sam Naber; great grandchild Charlie Timko. Woody is survived by his sister Libby Laird, Anne (Craig Ramsey), Barbara (Michael) Scheppele, many nieces and nephews.
Agent Orange may have taken his life, but it will never erase his impact on the community and the love his family has for him.
So good Sailor, Fair Winds and Following Seas.