Lawrence Loren Woodward

There will be an empty seat at the next family reunion as Lawrence Loren “Larry” Woodward passed away on April 14, 2025. He was 95.

Larry was born July 22, 1929, in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, to Lawrence Louis Woodward and Marjorie Helena Cantrell. He was the first grandchild of Loren Archie Cantrell of Oakland City, Indiana.

Larry started grade school in Oakland City, where his second-grade teacher was his aunt, Evelyn Cantrell Morrison. He continued grade school in Clermont, Indiana, then completed grade school at Hawthorne School #50 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Larry graduated Indianapolis Arsenal Technical High School in 1950. He attended high school during the day and worked nights at Link-Belt Company.

Larry served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, completing his military service in 1952. He then returned to Link-Belt, working for the firm for a total of 41 years at its South Belmont Avenue location.

In his early years while working at Link-Belt, Larry participated in several bowling leagues. He did well with this avocation as he won many trophies. He also enjoyed traveling, building model airplanes and collecting model planes, trains and cars. If it had anything to do with transportation, he liked it. He was a big fan of IU basketball – especially when Bobby Knight was coach.

Larry also enjoyed playing his baby grand piano – but only for himself. He loved family reunions, music, theater, movies and especially World War II films. Woe to anyone who caused him to miss his favorite Saturday evening television program, “The Lawrence Welk Show.”

Larry was a member of Living Word Bible Church, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was faithful to his duties and never could understand why anyone deliberately would go “looking for trouble.”

Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Cantrell Woodward Orange, in 1976; his step-father, Joseph J. Orange, in 1977; and brother, John David Orange, in 2018. Surviving are his sister, Mary Alice Orange (whom he called his Quarterback); sister-in-law, Jerri Orange; five nieces and nephews: Brian (Barrie) Orange; Jayne (Bill) Passon; Julie Leitzel; Jeff (Aandrea) Orange and Brent Orange; also, five great-nephews and great-nieces: Eric Leitzel; Chad Orange; Sydney (Andrew) Oberhausen; Delaney Orange; and Aleks Orange-Miller. Also surviving are extended family members Tammy Baird and Jimmy Cole, who called him “Uncle Larry,” as well as several cousins, including Charlotte Cantrell Smith Barnard and her family.

Graveside memorial service by Pastor Mark Woodard and burial with military rites by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Honor Guard and two individuals from Scott Air Force Base will take place Monday, April 28 at Floral Park Cemetery, 425 N. Holt Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46222 at 2pm. A celebration of life will be held at a date and place to be determined.