Elwood "Woody" Austin

Elwood “Woody” Austin passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 10, at the Boulder Park Terrace Nursing Center in Charlevoix at of age 91. He was a resident there since Oct. 13th of this year.

Woody was born in Merrill, Wisconsin in 1926. He was the youngest of 2 brothers and 4 sisters all of whom have preceded him in death. He graduated from High School in 1944, having enlisted in the Navy the year before.  The day after graduation he entered Great Lakes Naval Boot Camp. Woody served on the aircraft carrier, Bonne Homme Richard, as an open gun mount Captain on the flight deck in 1945.  He was discharged at Bremerton, WA. in 1946.

After the war, Woody started his career as a pharmaceutical representative and then worked for Benson Optical for many years on the road in Wisconsin and Northern Michigan. While working in Petoskey, he met Vernie Schneider McDonald and fell in love. Woody and Vernie were married on Feb. 4, 1967 and spent 34 wonderful years together. In the early 70’s he became the manager of the then Burn’s Clinic Optical Department retiring in 1991.

Woody was a very active member of the Lions Club in Petoskey, becoming King Lion in the 70’s. He moved to the Boyne City area and enjoyed being a member of Boyne Valley Lions Club in 2005. Woody was instrumental in establishing the Eye Bank of Northern Michigan. At that time, there were no systems of fast deliveries, so the donated eyes and corneas were placed in an insulated container and transported from county to county by the Sheriff and delivered to the requested destination.

He was a member of the Inland Lake Snowmobile Club for many years helping out and doing fund raisers. Woody also joined the American Legion Post 228 of Boyne City. Being a World War II vet, he recruited other veterans to join the post and had the honor of serving in the Color Guard, playing TAPS at veteran’s funerals. Woody was still actively doing this until late this past summer.

He met a lovely lady, Wilma Socia, shortly after the death of his wife, Vernie, in 2001. Woody and Wilma spent 16 fun filled years together as companions, caring for one another, traveling, socializing and enjoying each other’s company. Woody always referred to Wilma as his “Angel” and she was with him when he passed away.

One of Woody’s special moments was when he was selected to go on the Honor Flight to Washington a few years ago. He greatly enjoyed the comradery of his fellow vets and all the people along the way that honored them. Woody was so proud that he was a World War II veteran, wearing his decorated cap wherever he went.

The Boyne City Community will surely miss Woody’s voluntarism especially this time of the year when he and Wilma could be found ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s “Red Kettle”.

Woody had a way with people, getting them to talk and enjoy themselves.  He carried this with him to the Care Center giving patients a little dose of “sunshine’.

Woody is survived by his dear friend, Wilma Socia and her 3 daughters, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, June and George Vargo, Mary Jo and John Parker and many nieces and nephews. He had many wonderful and caring friends.

In Liew of flowers, memorials can be made in his name with donations to Eversight, a non- profit organization to restore sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donations, transplantation and research, formally known as the Michigan Eye Bank started by the Lions Club of Michigan. The address is: Eversight, 4889 Venture Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Even in death, Woody will continue to help people. Per his request, his body was donated to the University of Michigan Medical School.

A funeral memorial Mass will be offered for the repose of Woody’s soul on Dec. 27 at 10:30 am at St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey, with Fr. Dennis Stilwell as celebrant and Reverend Jeff Ellis, Pastor of the Walloon Lake Community Church giving the Eulogy. After Mass, The American Legion Post 228 will give Woody the honor of a Military Memorial in church. Following this ceremony, all of his family and friends will have a chance to get to gather and celebrate his life and enjoy a lunch sponsored by the ladies of the Church in the Parish Hall.

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