Michael Stephen Woodward

Michael Stephen Woodward (73) passed away on September 30, 2023, in Nashville TN. He was born on April 6, 1950, to Norman Dayle and Marian (Pierse) Woodward in Anderson, IN. He grew up in the Indianapolis area and graduated from Hamilton Southeastern High School in 1968. He then attended Indiana University, where he graduated with a B.S. in Accounting in 1972. While at IU he met his wife of 51 years, Jill (Young) Woodward whom he married on July 29, 1972, in Muncie, IN.

Shortly after getting married, Mike and Jill moved to Plainfield, IN where he worked as an accountant for Public Service Indiana (now Duke Energy) for 30 years. He was very active in multiple volunteer organizations, most notably the Optimist Club, where he was an active member for 46 years. His involvement started with coaching Little League baseball, and then he became increasingly involved on the local, district and international levels. Just some of the offices he held include Club President of the Plainfield Optimist Club, Indiana South District Governor and International Vice President. He also served on the Optimist International Junior Golf Committee for 25 years. One of his final contributions was forming the Bellevue Area Optimist Club in Nashville, TN which launched in 2021.  

Mike had a passion for serving youth. In addition to Optimist baseball and soccer, Mike also coached youth softball and basketball. He volunteered for several activities through the Hendricks County Unit of the American Heart Association. He was a very active member of the Plainfield United Methodist Church for 45 years until he and Jill moved to Nashville, TN in 2017. He was an exceptionally loyal and avid IU fan, possessing season tickets for IU football and basketball for several decades. He also loved Indy car racing and attended the Indy 500 for 40 plus years.

Mike is preceded in death by his son Neal Michael Woodward, his parents, brother Paul Randolph Woodward, and his uncle Bruce (Jean) Woodward.

Mike is survived by his wife Jill (Young) Woodward, children Adam Woodward and Mary Ann (Chris) Green, grandchildren: Ashley (Andrew) Moser, Madison (Jerry) Woodward, Neal and Owen Green; two step-grandchildren: Chase Thornsberry and Addison Hildenbrand; and three great-grandchildren: Jagger Pruett, Malakai Tobin and Atlas Lancaster. He is also survived by his sisters: Cathy (Don) Paff, Karen (Tim) Fowler and Lisa (Doug) Gunn as well as his uncle Don (Barb) Pierse and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation and Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 5 at the Plainfield United Methodist Church located at 600 Simmons St., Plainfield, IN.  The visitation will be from 11am-1pm with the Memorial Service starting at 1pm. A graveside service will immediately follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Plainfield. The service will be live streamed from the Hall-Baker Funeral Home Facebook page. In honor of both his optimism and his love for IU, feel free to add a splash of red to your attire if desired.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bellevue Area Optimist Club, the Plainfield Optimist Club, or a charity of your choice. Checks may be mailed to the Bellevue Area Optimist Club, 913 Glenridge Ln., Nashville, TN 37221, or the Plainfield Optimist Club, P.O. Box 664, Plainfield, IN 46168.

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