Gerald A. Woodford, 74, of Eau Claire, died Friday, February 26, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Eau Claire on March 19, 1935, a Son of Verlette Woodford and Dorothy Bean Woodford Schwoch.

He married Kathleen A. McInnis on October 25, 1957.

Gerald worked for Hillman Brothers Shell until he joined the Army in 1957 where he was stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1959.  He went to work at Sterling Pulp and Paper until he entered schooling to become an electrician and worked for Switzer Electric until he was disabled in 1984.

He enjoyed camping, boating, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and the Green Bay Packers.  Most of all he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Kathleen; four children, Gerald Woodford of Chippewa Falls, James (Nancy) Woodford of Eau Claire, Julie (James) Ekwall of Colorado Springs, CO, and Jodie (Paul) Blodgett of Elk Mound; grandchildren, Courtney Woodford, Brandon Woodford, Krista Woodford, Alexandra Ekwall, Bailey Blodgett, Abigail Blodgett, and Cayden Blodgett; Brother Lyle (Phyllis) Woodford; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Melvin Schwoch.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home in Eau Claire, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire with Father Brian Konopa officiating. Burial will be at Prairie View Cemetery in the Village of Lake Hallie where American Legion Post #53 will present military honors.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Lenmark- Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Thursday.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to St. Josephs Hospice and to Father Brian Konopa.