Gary Howard Wood

Gary Howard Wood, 80, of Pekin, having received the sacraments of the Catholic Church, passed away at 9:10 pm, Monday, May 6, 2019, at his home. He was born on May 15, 1938 to Howard Edison and Viola Marie Blackwell Wood. He married Joan Marie Maerz on August 29, 1964, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Keokuk, IA. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Matthew David; and two half-sisters: Martha Beeler and Jeanne Bryant. He is survived by his wife, Joan; three sons, Joseph "Joe" (Marcia) Wood of Andover, MA, Eric (Kristin) Wood of Menomonee Falls, WI, and Adam Wood of Oro Valley, AZ; five grandchildren, Mia, Kelsey, Evan, Sydney, and Logan Wood; and one half brother, Charles "Chuck" (Bernita) Wood of Fort Madison, IA. Gary was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He retired from Pekin Community High School having served as a teacher, guidance counselor and other positions over the years. He then served as the testing coordinator at Limestone Community High School for 12 years. He was a member of the American Legion, life member of both the NEA and IEA, and past Advisory Board Member at Midstate College. Gary was a black belt and former instructor in Shotokan Karate. He was a member of the Healing Ministry Prayer Group, was a member and volunteered at St Vincent de Paul food pantry of Pekin. He served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Adult Mass Server, and Funeral Mass Server at St Joseph Church. Gary was an avid St. Louis Cardinal and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He spent his life giving to and loving others, with his greatest joy being his family. He will be greatly missed by those fortunate enough to have known him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, May 10, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 303 South 7th St., Pekin, IL with Father Michael Andrejek as celebrant. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 4:15 pm, Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory, 2131 Velde Dr, Pekin. Visitation will follow at the funeral home from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Burial will be in Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa with military honors provided by the United States Air Force. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, or the Pekin Saint Vincent de Paul Food Panty. Cemetery KEOKUK NATIONAL CEMETERY 1701 J STREET KEOKUK,IA 52632 Mass of Christian Burial Friday, May 10, 2019 10:30 AM St Joseph Catholic Church 303 S 7th St Pekin,IL 61554 Rosary Service Thursday, May 9, 2019 4:15 PM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Thursday, May 9, 2019 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554