Dennis R. Wood, 81, of Jonestown, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 10, at Linden Village, Lebanon, after a 38-year battle with Friedreich’s Ataxia. He was the husband of Linda (Gilbert) Wood.
Born in Lebanon on March 16, 1943, he was the son of Clifford and Mildred Wood.
He graduated from Northern Lebanon High School in 1961. Dennis enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1964 and served for six years. In 1976, he graduated from Millersville University with an MS in Education. Denny taught fifth- and sixth-grade students in a split class at East Hanover Elementary School for 27 years. On July 2, 1982, he married Linda Gilbert, and last year, they celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. They enjoyed traveling the country during the summer. He led a very active life.
Denny played Twilight Baseball and Soccer for 19 years. He was a player and coach for Jonestown in the Central Penn Soccer League for 13 years and served as the secretary of the Central Penn Soccer League for five years. Dennis belonged to the American Legion Post 883 and served as commander for two years. He was a lifelong member of St. Johns UCC, Jonestown. Dennis was a deacon and an elder while serving on consistory. He was instrumental in operating the sound system for years. Dennis was a proud member of the Jonestown Male Chorus for 51 years. In 2013, he was inducted into the Northern Lebanon Athletic Hall of Fame for his commitment and dedication to promoting high standards of athletic achievement. His hobbies included playing and watching ice hockey, playing golf, working outside, and taking care of the garden and flower beds. He also loved to travel and drive the backroads of Lebanon County.
As his health declined, he enjoyed spending time on the computer, where he spent hours putting pictures on CDs for Linda and Emily to cherish. Dennis really loved riding his scooter around Jonestown and watching Westerns on TV. One of his favorite things to do was to spend time with his grandson, Logan, and his daughter, Emily, when they would visit.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Emily, wife of Jacob Casey, Orlando, FL; grandson, Logan Casey, Orlando, FL; brother, Larry, husband of Roma Wood; sister, Rochelle, wife of Barry Stickler; his Aunt Pat Boltz; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2024, at the Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home & Crematory, Jonestown. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) at www.ataxia.org/ways-to-give, or the Jonestown Outreach Pantry at www.joypantry/donate.
