S. Joseph Woodka (nee Wodka)

Dr. S. Joseph Woodka, 78, 5532 Woodland St., died Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, at his home under care of Hospice of Portage County after an 11 month battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at a later date at the Shuda Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Hospice of Portage County. Joseph was born June 3, 1923, in South Bend, Ind., a son of Stephen and Bernice (Prezdzienkowska) Wodka. His marriage to Patricia Berry took place May 15, 1954, in South Bend. He attended Ball State University until entering the U.S. Army in 1941, serving until 1943.

He returned to Ball State and graduated, then earned a master's degree and doctorate from the University of Michigan. He taught at the University of Detroit and Central Michigan University. In 1966, he came to the University of WisconsinStevens Point as chairman of.the political science department. He served as dean of the College of Letters and Science from 1970 to 1980, then returned to teaching until his retirement in 1988.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Carole Butler, Columbia, S.C., and Janice Woodka, Oconto; one son, Mark Woodka, Shaker Heights, Ohio; and four grandchildren, Brendan and Samuel Woodka and McKensie and Riliegh Butler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Josephine Pawlak; one brother and one sister

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

09/23/2024 EJS