Jack “J.B.” Woodward, 67, of Kell, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Select Care, in Evansville, Indiana, with his daughter by his side.

He was born November 8, 1953, to Evelyn and Lewis Woodward.  He married his high school sweetheart, Dianna Dace, on November 22, 1972, and was looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.  She survives him, in Kell.

Jack was a member of the Kell Fire Department for many years, and was a man of Baptist Faith, becoming a licensed minister in 2002.  He worked for the Salem Union Pacific Railroad as an Engineer/Conductor, until his retirement, in 2009.  He then went into wood working as a hobby, and loved making furniture and cabinets, among other things, for his family and friends.  He always loved working out in the yard, and sitting on the front porch with his wife, Dianna, and always looked forward to Wednesdays, as that was coffee day with his friends.

In addition to his wife, Dianna Woodward of Kell, he is survived by a son, Shawn Woodward, of Kell;  a daughter, Raedena Charlton and husband Tony of Kell;  a brother, Tim Woodward and wife Toni of Iuka; three sisters, Patricia Blair and husband Jim of Iuka, Peggy Meador of Salem, and Julia Milano and husband Phil of Odin;  grandkids, Dillon Charlton and significant other Ciera Martinez of Kell, Cheyanne Charlton of Kell, Chance Gambill and fiancée Shianne of Mt. Vernon, Ashton Woodward and significant other Nick Dagg of Geff, Cole Dodson of Salem, and Sierra Dodson of Texico;  and great grandkids, Skyleigh Charlton, Wyatt Dagg, Bently Maltman, Layne Dodson, Branson Dodson, and an expected great-grandson, due in February 2022.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Lewis Woodward;  three infant siblings;  a nephew, Jeff Woodward; and a great-granddaughter, Makenna Rose Lee Charlton.

Funeral services for Mr. Woodward will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, October 7, 2021, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Brother Ray Barnes officiating.  Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in rural Iuka.  Visitation will be held Thursday, October 7, 2021, from 10:00 a.m., until 12:00 p.m., at the funeral home.  Memorial gifts may be made to Main Street Christian Church, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830.  Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.