WARREN — Wesley Gordon Woodman passed away peacefully on Feb. 11, 2016, after a brief decline in his health at Togus Veteran's Hospital. His beloved children were at his side, with the most caring medical staff at his service.

Born March 21, 1925, in Portsmouth, N.H., he was the son of Earl and Pearl (Richards) Woodman. Wesley was born with a decisive mindset that would stay with him through his life. According to stories from his mom, he was focused on raising mischief when he was young. When World War II broke out, that youthful energy became focused on entering the service. He left high school, secured his place as the fiancé of his one and only love, Virginia E. Bailey, and in 1942 joined the Navy. He served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Langley in the South Pacific. As with so many World War II veterans, his life was shaped from the tragic experiences of the war.

After three years of active duty - and many love letters later - his attention was then focused on marrying “his Jini.” They were married June 17, 1945, and had their honeymoon traveling cross-country to California to his last duty station. They loved each other for the next 67-1/2 years.

Their civilian life together started in Rye, N.H., where, with pride, he built the first of two homes for his family. In Rye, he started his life in service to his Lord. He was a lay preacher, Sunday school superintendent and teacher at Bethany Congregational Church. His focus to serve led him to interview for minister of Second Congregational Church in Warren, Maine, in 1960. In 1961 he moved his family to Warren, where he served as minister for 21 years. His love for that church, and the people who placed their faith in a young man with only a GED certificate as starting credentials, lasted until his passing. After securing this position he completed his education through the University of Maine and Bangor Theological seminary. He served as trustee of Maine Congregational Christian Council and the Ministerial Committee of the National Association of Congregational Churches.

He was a past grand masonic chaplain of Maine, past worthy grand patron of Maine Order of the Eastern Star and a life member and worthy patron of Ivy Chapter, OES. Many also remember him as their teacher and bus driver.

Upon retirement, he and Jini moved to their second home, "built with my own hands," in Union, to enjoy life on the pond.

His pride in serving his country lasted throughout his life. He wore his World War II hat proudly, was a life member of Disabled American Veterans and sang the praises of his routine and crisis care at the veteran's hospital. He will be laid to rest beside his sweetheart, Jini, at the Mount Vernon Veteran's Cemetery in Augusta.

Wesley is survived by his five children and their families, Sandy and Ron Lufkin, Wayne and Faye Woodman, Cindy and Tom Bland, Andi and Kerry Jett, and Becki Woodcock and her partner, Barry Oliver; his grandchildren, Jodi and Cameron White, Stacey Peck, Jonathan and Julie Woodman, Jennifer and Aaron Winchenbach, Joshua White and his partner, Jessica Kent, Jeremy White, Aaron and Amy Jett, Bonnie and Clint Martz, Ryan Woodcock, and Richard and Amber Woodcock; 13 great-grandchildren, including one special one who carries the name Wesley Andrew Jett; and two great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his older brother, Ralph Woodman; his sister-in-law, Earline Woodman; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, “his Jini”; his parents; his brother, Frank Woodman; his daughter-in-law, Julie Woodman; and his son-in-law, William Woodcock.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pope Memorial Humane Society, 17 Buttermilk Lane, Thomaston, ME, 04861 or to a Special Olympics organization in your area.

Visiting hours will be Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St. in Waldoboro. A celebration of Wesley's life will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church in Warren. The Revs Wayne Woodman and Andrew Stinson will be officiating.

Hall's of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements.