Ishpeming – Luther L. "Doc" Woods, age 77, of 2005 Washington Ave., Ishpeming, passed away at 11:05pm on Wednesday October 15, 2008 surrounded by his loving family at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he had resided since Nov. 7, 2005.

Luther was born February 5, 1931 in St. Joseph, MO the son of the late Reuben L. and Ethel (O'Neal) Woods, and was raised in Columbia, MO. Luther served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from May 8, 1953 – May 6, 1955. He was a Sergeant at the Artillery and Guided Missile Center at Fort Sill, OK, working mainly as an artillery trainer. He also earned several medals for his marksmanship with rifles and pistols on an Army Shooting Team. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Spanner on October 21, 1955 in Hibbing, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, receiving a Bachelors' Degree in Business in 1958 and moved to Hibbing, MN working as an auditor for Range Firestone and Range Motors, a Family Business. Luther moved his family to Ishpeming in 1961, and opened Northern Tire, Inc., which he owned and operated until his ill health in 2005. Luther holds a U.S. Patent for a one piece mining wheel. He was a founding member of the Tire Industry Association's Off-highway Dealers Group.

He had a very generous and giving heart, and will be dearly missed by his family. Recently he was a major donor to the new Bell Hospital. Over the years he gave donations to the Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum, National Ski Hall of Fame, NMU, MTU, UMD, Suomi College and the Mayo Clinic Foundation. He was a member of the Wawonowin Country Club, having donated land to the club for the development of the golf course. He had served on the board of directors at Wawonowin and spent many hours playing golf with friends. He was a former director for the Miners First National Bank in Ishpeming. He was a member of the Longboat Key Club, in Longboat Key, FL where he and Betty wintered since 1989, hosting many family gatherings at their home. He was a life member of the N.R.A. He enjoyed spending time at Camp 35 during deer season along with boating and fishing on Lake Superior. Luther also enjoyed visiting his daughter Vicki and her family at their fish farm in Arkansas each spring. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife Elizabeth "Betty" (Spanner) Woods of Ishpeming, a son – Lee (Cindy) Woods of Ishpeming, three daughters – Elizabeth "Lisa" (Alfie) Maki of Negaunee Twp., Victoria "Vicki" (Rodney) Saul of Des Arc, AR., and Marilyn (Mike) DuBois of New Bloomfield, MO., a sister Mildred Grissum of Columbia, MO., a brother Donald Woods of Columbia, MO., grandchildren – Josh and Luke Woods of Ishpeming, Elissa Hermes and Joey Hermes of Marquette, Nick Hermes of Negaunee Twp., Spencer and Sterling Saul of Des Arc, AR., Lance Stout and Lindsey Evans of New Bloomfield, MO. Great grandchildren – Natalie Morcom, Hunter Hermes, Ashley, Sierra, Aaron and Gavin Stout. Step-grandchildren – James, Samantha and Bill Petersen, Nick and Jamie Pennell, and Nick Maki. Step-great grandchild Chloe Petersen, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Dorothy Mae Lee and a brother Charles Woods.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday October 18, 2008 at the Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Scott Lindenberg to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery, where the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 380 will hold Military Rites Services.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 12:00noon until the time of services on Saturday at the Church. A luncheon will follow the services in the church hall.

Pallbearers will be Luther's grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be John Gregory and Darrell Saul.

Luther's family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Heron and the staff of D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans for his care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Members Assistance Fund, 425 Fisher St., Marquette, MI 49855 or the Mayo Clinic Foundation, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.