Peggy Gale Woodard

Peggy Gale Woodard, 67, died Sunday, May 26, 2019, at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. 

She was of the Baptist Faith. She was born on Feb. 27, 1952, in Anna, the daughter of Russell L. Woodard and Mary Ann Woodard.

She graduated from Dongola High School in 1969. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University. She went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University. She earned a Ph.D. in philosophy from Loyola University. 

In her early career, she worked as a social worker. In 1985, she was employed by Governor’s State University in Joliet. During her years there she served as a full professor of psychology and counseling, as the director of student development, as the interim dean of the College of Education and as associate provost. She was awarded tenure in 2000. She received the Faculty Excellence Award in 1989 and then retired in 2012 as professor emeritus.

She was preceded in death by both her parents, Mary Ann and Russell Woodard. She is survived by a sister, Judith Ann Goodman of Carterville; a niece, Tia (Thad) Brown of Ellsworth, Iowa; two great-nieces, Caitlin (Luke) Hodnefield of Randal, Iowa, and Cassidy Brown of Ellsworth, Iowa; a great-nephew, Josiah Brown of Ellsworth, Iowa; and one uncle, Darrell Miller of Dongola. 

She also is survived by cousins and many, many dear friends. 

She also left behind Zoey, her beloved dog of 17 years.

Funeral services were at noon Saturday, June 1, at Kurtz Funeral Home in Frankfort.

Memorials can be made to the South Suburban Humane Society or to the Kankakee County Humane Foundation.