Obituaries : Joseph W. Wood, Sr.

Joe Wood, Sr.

VINTON – Joseph W. Wood, Sr., 92, of Vinton, died Saturday, May 22, 2010, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo following a brief illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton with Fr. Ardel Barta as Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wed., May 26, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a Scripture Service at 7 p.m. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Walker.

Joe was born August 5, 1917, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Everett and Florence Reily Wood. He attended Wenceslaus Catholic High School in Cedar Rapids.

On September 24, 1941, Joe was united in marriage with Myrna Joyce in Walker. She preceded him in death on February 3, 1961. On April 17, 1964, Joe married Camillo Stepp Powers in Blair, Nebraska.

Joe worked as the maintenance supervisor at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton for 31 years. He planted what was to become the Tree of Lights near the entrance of the hospital.

Joe was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton. He enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Center, fishing and traveling. He was also an avid gardener.

Joe is survived by his wife, Camillo, of Vinton; five sons: Joe (Judy) Wood, Jr. of Vinton; Ed (Roxie) Wood of Granby, CO; Loren (Laura) Wood of Vinton; Jay (Angie) Wood of Hinckly, OH; and Dennis (Pat) Powers of Vinton; three daughters: LaVonne Paulson of Treasure Island, FL; and Wanita Karnopp and Sharon Allsup (Jim Davis), both of La Porte City; one brother, Leo (Mary) Wood of Garner; four sisters: Deloris Prucha of Cedar Rapids; Theresa Schmickle of Walker; Dorothy (Allison) Pratt of Marion; and Betty Plavah of East Moline, IL; 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his first wife, Myrna; one son, Mickial Wood; one grandson, Dennis Paulson; one brother, LeRoy Wood; one sister, Henrietta Michael; and one son-in-law, Gary Paulson.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Joe and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.