O. R. Woodyard Co. Funeral & Cremation Services

Dean A. Woodyard

Dean A. Woodyard has been serving the Columbus community for over 40 years as a funeral director, embalmer, consultant, and preplanning specialist. He is the third generation of the Woodyard family to be part of the funeral profession. Dean's beginnings first start by his arrival at Grant Hospital, being the son of O. R. “Jim” Woodyard Jr. and his wife, Sally A. Stout Woodyard. Dean's parents and grandparents played a major role in his formative years and piqued his interest in the profession. His parents opened a new location in Bexley, Ohio 1960 where the family lived and operated the funeral home. Those were days before public emergency ambulances were available and funeral home operations included 24 hour ambulette service. Dean graduated from Bexley High School, Class of 1971. He pursued his college requirements through The Ohio State University and then Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science graduating in 1974. Dean also strived for other training such as Iowa's College eye training so to be able to help others with Donation and Sight Program. He has enjoyed learning how to further help families through continued education at Ohio Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. He was also active with leadership at The Central Ohio Funeral Director Association. Dean is also currently the President for the Board of Trustees at Glen Rest Cemetery. Longtime member of the Athletic Club of Columbus, BLYC, and Disciples of Christ Christian Church. While the funeral profession can be very demanding on one's time, he has noted how much the appreciation of those we serve means to him. Dean met Jill A. Wood, who was a wonderful partner and wife in 1980. They raised a family and their son, Devin R. Woodyard, is now serving the community as the fourth generation of the Woodyard family. He enjoys the outdoors, skiing, whitewater rafting, boating among other things.

Education: Bexley High School, Class of 1971 , The Ohio State University , Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, 1974

Certifications: Ohio Funeral Directors Association , National Funeral Directors Association , Central Ohio Funeral Director Association

Gary Drake-Woodyard

Gary Drake-Woodyard is Treasurer of O. R. Woodyard Co. Funeral & Cremation Services.

Devin R. Woodyard

After graduating from Bexley High School, Devin attended and graduated magna cum laude from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business with three specializations. He then attained a law degree from Capital University Law School where he graduated summa cum laude. He joined O. R. Woodyard Co. Funeral and Cremation Service full time in 2008 as the fourth generation. In 2010 he took on a new objective to expand the services provided by O. R. Woodyard Co. to pet owners. In October of 2010 he debuted Woodyard Pet Services. In 2011 Devin attained his Certified Pre-planning Consultant certification to provide expertise and professionalism to assist families in the process of advance planning. Devin lives in Upper Arlington with his wife, Lauren, and their three daughters, Lilly, Reece, and Elody, as well as their golden retriever, Stella.

Education: Bexley High School , The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, magna cum laude , Capital University Law School, J.D., summa cum laude

Certifications: Certified Pre-planning Consultant, 2011

Services: Preplanning Consultation

Peggy Robinson

Peggy Robinson is a graduate of South High School. She retired from Grange Insurance Co. in 2014 after 36 years as a Personal Lines Underwriter. In her “retirement,” Peggy found a new home with the Woodyard family in 2015, helping part time in the office to now being the office manager. When not working, she can be found spending time with her grandchildren and furbabies (all 5 of them).

Education: South High School

Nikkie Finnell

Originally from outside Circleville, Ohio, she graduated from Westfall High School. Her love for animals led her to work in the veterinary field for 24 years. She eventually found a new passion working in the funeral profession. In her spare time, there is nothing she enjoys more than spending time with her family and husband, Dan, and her two fur kids, Gabby and Frog. She is also a passionate supporter of all U.S. Veterans.

Education: Westfall High School

Services: Cremation Services