James Woodburn III, age 85, a longtime resident of Wheaton, died Friday evening, January 18, 2008 surrounded by his family. He was born in Franklin, PA on October 16, 1922 to James and Ruth Paca Woodburn.
He received a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering in 1946 and a B.S. in Business in 1948, both at M.I.T. He was a member of Theta Chi social fraternity. During WWII he served as 2nd Lt. in the US Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot. In his career in the steel industry, he was involved in the development of several patented steel processing methods. He retired from Amsted Industries as corporate Vice-President and then became a Vice-President at S&C Electric.
He was a member of Gary Memorial United Methodist Church, active in the Kiwanis Club of Wheaton and was instrumental in the beginning of the B. R. Ryall YMCA of Glen Ellyn. He loved classical music, sailing, golf, skiing and woodworking.
James is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen, his children, Anne W.(Steven)Breitenbach, James H.Woodburn, Judith P.(Kent Harris)Woodburn, and John W. Woodburn, his grandchildren Kathryn(Timothy)Kubiak, Jamie(William)Kreher, Tara Woodburn, Joseph Harris and Sean Woodburn; his great-grandchildren Evelyn and Audrey Kreher; his brother Michael(Dorothy)Woodburn
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Elizabeth Moore.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 22, from 4-8 pm at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. The funeral will be Wednesday, January 23, at 10:30 am. at Gary Memorial United Methodist Church , 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. Burial will take place in Franklin, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Kiwanis Club of Wheaton, Services Project, PO Box 33, Wheaton, IL 60189 would be appreciated.
Family and friends may sign a guest book at www.hultgrenfh.com. Information available at 630-668-0027