Donald W. Wood
April 26, 1935 ~ November 27, 2018
Donald Wayne Wood, 83, of Columbus, passed from this life at his home on November 27, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. The son of Frank and Lora Eaton Wood, Donald was born in Columbus on April 26, 1935. He married high school sweetheart and love of his life, Bernice Olmstead, on April 19, 1954 in Columbus. They spent sixty-four wonderful years together and raised nine children. Donald’s favorite thing to do was sit in his chair, cup of coffee in his hand while watching I.U. basketball or reruns of John Wayne movies, even though it drove his wife crazy. Although he worked at Arvin Industries in his younger years, Donald spent the majority of his career as a maintenance man at “The Hoosier Kitchen” truck stop in Taylorsville. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday December 3, 2018 at the Jewell – Rittman Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services Monday. Burial will be at Flat Rock Baptist Cemetery in Bartholomew County. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Survivors include his wife Bernice; sons Jeff (Rae) Wood and Matt (Jessica) Wood both of Waynesburg, Indiana, Tracy, Troy, and Mike Wood all of Columbus; daughters Joyce (Mike) Crank and Sandy (Jeff) Gassaway both of Columbus; 19 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Loretta Ward; a son Donald L. Wood; sisters Gladys Garrity and Frances Williams; as well as twin infant brothers Woodrow and Anthony Wood.
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Sorry to hear about Don, always loved going to his house with Bill B. and my grandmother, Edith. Patty.
My heartfelt prayers for my family in the loss of the most wonderful person I have ever known, I have loved him since my childhood and as each April 26th and April 27th rolls around every year I will remember all the wonderful days we spent celebrating our birthdays together at the Brown County State Park in Nashville, Indiana; we spent the day playing ball, piggy-back rides, cards, tag, grilling our hamburgers and hot dogs and Mom and Aunt Bernie bringing all the side dishes!! Our crew consisted of 9 Wood kids and 5 Williams kids, plus friends we might have invited, so at least 14 kids and at least 3-4 adults, what good times I remember, a part of me that I will always hold dear. So dear Aunt Bernie I pray that God will keep you in His comfort and peace and knowing that He is always with you and He knows your pain and absence of your devoted husband of 64 yrs., friend and companion please just lean on Him and my prayers cover you constantly. As for Jeff, Joyce, Mike, Troy, Sandy, Tracy and Matt I pray for your broken hearts at the loss of your Dad, he loved each of you dearly, he and I had many good talks, it was just like sitting down and talking with my Momma again, they were so much alike in many ways, their peaceful, patient demeanor…he will be missed terribly. My love and prays for you all, because I love you all dearly. The adopted step child, Deborah
Prayers for peace, comfort and understanding for all of you! May you cherish the memories and keep Uncle Donald alive forever in your hearts! I send love and hugs to each one of you!
Jeff, Matt and Tracy, I am so sorry to hear about your father. Prayers for you guys and the family. Rhonda
Don Wood was a good man with wonderful children. My condolences to the family.