Connie Woodel

She was born on July 27, 1934 in Fremont, one of fifteen children of the late Aurelio and Theresa (Lona) Ruiz.  She attended Fremont Ross until she started her working career at the age of 16.  Over the years, she worked at H & M Bakery, GW Sugar, GE, Ford Motor, Berlekamp Plastics, Emerson Electric and Union Carbide.

On February 2, 1957 in Angola, Indiana, she married Everett M. Woodel, Sr. from Clearfield, PA  and together they shared 33 years of marriage until his passing in 1990.  Everett was a retired Army Veteran with over 21 years of service.  When they could Connie and the children traveled with him to his various duty stations.  The family lived in the countries of Turkey, France and Germany and the states of New Jersey, Maryland, Arizona and several locations in Ohio.

Settling in Fremont in 1973, Connie opened her bake shop, Connie's Cakes, where her work was her hobby until she began retirement at the age of 80.  Connie was always a hard worker and very determined.  One of her proudest moments was when she earned her GED at Terra Community College in 1997, at the age of 65, the same year that her oldest grandchild graduated high school.  At that point, she was also the oldest person to complete Terra's GED program.

Surviving are children Theresa Woodel (David) Madison of Port Clinton, Barbara (Brad) Bristley of Fremont, and Everett M. Woodel, Jr. of Westerville.  Connie loved being surrounded by her  grandchildren Shantelle (Josh) Lozano, Aleia Wilson, Dalena (Jeff) Buchman, Bradley "Austin" Bristley,  Jeffrey "Eban" Bristley and Tia Marie Woodel ; and  great-grandchildren Amrynn, Everett, Kyla and Ava. 

To friends and family, Connie will be remembered as "Grandma Honey".

Connie is also survived by her siblings Mary Ann Rios, Kenny Ruiz, Mary Helen Gamble, Janie Rodriguez, Lucy Jacobs, Delores Wampler, Rosemary Jackson, Tony Ruiz,  Joseph Ruiz and Aurelio Ruiz; many, many loving nieces and nephews; and good friend Charlie Wampler.

Preceding Connie in death is her loving husband Everett;  her parents;  infant son; and siblings Jessie Ruiz, Frank Ruiz, infant John Ruiz and John Ruiz.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 1st from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M.  at the Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fremont. Funeral Services will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 2nd at 10:30 A.M. Rev. Tom Goossens will officiate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont.

In memory of Connie and her fight with leukemia, the family would encourage donating blood to a local Red Cross Drive or other facilities for those in need or a donation, monetary or other, to the local Salvation Army.


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