Melvin Robert Woodard

Melvin Robert Woodard, 88, a long-time resident of Indiana, Pennsylvania, recently of Easley, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2024, after a brief illness.

Mel was born on February 25, 1936, at the Woodard family farmhouse in Ridgebury Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. He liked to tell the story of the doctor arriving for his delivery in a horse-drawn sleigh because of a snowstorm. 

He graduated from Troy High School in Troy, Pennsylvania, in 1954, and from Mansfield State Teachers College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in education. While at Troy High, Mel met Lenora Janet Saxton, who he married on June 21, 1958. Mel said it was “the happiest day of his life.”

After teaching junior high mathematics for two years in Horseheads, New York, Mel continued his education, earning a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois and a doctorate of education with an emphasis in mathematics from Oklahoma State University. In 1962, he joined the mathematics department at Indiana State Teachers College, now Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). During his tenure at IUP, he served on many departmental and campus-wide committees. His career at IUP spanned from 1962-1995, and he led as department chair from 1967-1979. He was awarded many honors throughout his career and was especially proud of the work he did with the Mathematical Association of America, serving as both Secretary Treasurer and Governor of the Allegheny Mountain Section. He remained an active supporter of IUP throughout his life, and he and his wife Lenora often could be found in their regular seats cheering on the Crimson Hawks football team and men’s and women’s basketball teams. 

After retirement, Mel embraced his hobbies and volunteer work. He was instrumental in facilitating the building of Grace Manor - now part of St. Andrew’s Village. Mel also spent many hours working for Habitat for Humanity of Indiana County. For many years he was a member of the Punxsutawney region of the Antique Automobile Club of America and loved a Sunday afternoon drive with Lenora in one of his two 1964 Chevy Impalas. Mel was a man of great faith and was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, serving as a trustee, Sunday school treasurer, and food bank volunteer. 

After moving to the Monticello neighborhood in 1992, Mel and Lenora joined a walking group and formed great friendships over their 30-plus years of walking five mornings per week. Mel was known as a man quick to lend a helping hand, and to lighten the mood with his quick wit. He and Lenora moved to The Foothills Retirement Community in Easley, South Carolina, in May 2024. 

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 66 years, Lenora; daughter Mary Kay Lyddane (Anthony) of Saint Augustine, Florida; son Mark (Suzan) of Greenville, South Carolina; son Ken (Sharon) of New Bern, North Carolina; brothers Victor (Margie) of Midland, Texas, and Dean (Ruth) of Onsted, Michigan, and his sister Charlotte Carpenter (Victor) of Savannah, Georgia. He will be greatly missed by his seven grandchildren: Amy Lyddane; Hannah Lockaby (Ryan); Ben Lyddane (Natalie); Darby Todd (Jim); and Malorie, Perri, and Michael Woodard. He also will be missed by his three great-grandchildren: Calvin and Max Lockaby, and Dottie Todd, as well as his many nieces and nephews and their extended families.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Harold C. and Mary Lytle Woodard. A memorial service will take place in the Chapel at The Foothills Retirement Community, 205 Bud Nalley Drive, Easley, SC, at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024. A private interment will occur at Granville Center Church of Christ Cemetery, Granville Summit, PA, at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to Habitat for Humanity of Indiana County, PO Box 663, Indiana, PA, 15701-0663, or the Food Bank at Grace Church, PO Box 6, Indiana, PA, 15701.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory-Downtown, Easley.