Fre 's Obituary
Fred Mabon Wood, Sr., son of Fred Mabon and Allie (Dugger) Wood was born May 19, 1920 near Hartville, Missouri. He departed this life Monday, October 2009 in Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Missouri at the age of eighty-nine years, five months, and seven days. On April 21, 1950 he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Grimes and to this union three sons were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Ellen on December 18, 2002; two brothers, Billy Wood and an infant; four sisters, Draxy Rippee, Cleo Saladin, Essie Burney, and an infant. Fred is survived by his three sons, Fred Wood, Jr. and his wife, Janice, of Houston, Missouri, Ricky Wood and his wife, Shannon, of Cataldo, Idaho, and Tommy Wood and his wife, Kathy, of St. Louis, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jared, Kayla, and Lauren Wood; two step-granddaughters, Jodi and Amy; one step-great-grandson, Colby; two nieces, Jean Zimmer, of Springfield, Missouri and Freeda Robson, of Willow Springs, Missouri; two nephews, Billy Rippee and Edgar Gene Rippee, of Yakima, Washington; as well as other relatives and many friends. He grew up near Hartville and was a graduate of Mountain Grove High School, in Mountain Grove, Missouri. He was a Staff Sergeant with the 104th Infantry Timber Wolf Unit of the United States Army during World War II. He landed on Utah Beach three days after D-Day and served on the front lines for one hundred ninety-seven days. He fought at The Battle of the Bulge, and also spent time in Belgium, France, Holland, and Germany. He was honorably discharged from the service after serving from 1942-1945. He received the following medals, European Service Medal, American Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and Markmanship Badge. Following his service he returned to the Hartville area where he married Mary Ellen and they made their home on their farm. He had also served as Assessor for Van Buren Township in Wright County for twelve years. Fred had made his profession of faith and the Lord was important to him all of his life. He grew up in Bethel Chapel Church, which his grandfather, William Scneca Wood help build, where he was Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher until the church closed. Then he attended Rock Chapel Church where he was a Deacon and teacher for many years. After Bethel Chapel reopened he returned there and was a member of the Bethel Cemetery Board for many years. He was also a fifty year member of the American Legion Post #45 in Hartville. He was proud of being a soldier and of his service to his country, one of the last things he said was “I am proud to be an American”. In his spare time loved doing genealogy and community history and clipping obituaries to share with The Wright County Historical Society. He liked gardening and making relish. Fred was a loving father, grandfather, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will cherish the precious memories he has created for his family and friends. Services will be at 11:00 am on Friday October 30, 2009 at Bethel Chapel Church. Burial will be in the Bethel Chapel Cemetery under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Hartville, Missouri. Return to top
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