Harry Thomas "Tom" Wood

Harry Thomas (Tom) Wood, 93, died peacefully on June 18, 2017, surrounded by family at Concordia Village in Springfield, IL.
He was born July 13, 1923 in Petersburg, IL, to Walter and Faye Wood, along with ten brothers and sisters. He married Mary Ann (nee Schwartz) on September 25, 1948 at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield, IL. He was the loving father of Thomas Wood and Mary Lynn Doglio.

He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific theatre during World War II, and was involved in the Battles of Leyte Gulf and Okinawa. Tom said “It was an experience that changed my life. I saw places and met people I never would have met if I stayed on the farm.” He took part in the Honor Flight in 2009, which transports America’s Veterans to Washington, DC to visit memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of veterans and their friends.

He was employed as a sheet metal worker for 40 years at Henson Robinson. He used his metal working skills to make pizza pans for the family that his children and grandchild cherish. His generous nature showed when he would make caskets for deceased pets at no charge to their owners. He traveled the US extensively with his wife and children, and was an avid golfer and fisherman in his retirement. His grandchildren have many fond memories of Saturday mornings spent fishing at his brother-in-law’s pond. He also spent time in his garden, attending to roses and strawberries. He was a parishioner at both Sacred Heart and Christ the King and was a member of the Knights of Columbus 364.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Ann, and his two children Tom and Mary Lynn (Mike Hoeft); six grandchildren: Michael Wood (Tara Watson) of Indianapolis, John Wood of Lexington, KY, Chris (Wes) DaMask of Freeport, IL, Kara Doglio (Adam Vaccari) of Peoria, IL, Jenna (Joe) Christian (nee Doglio) of Washington, IL, and Kelsey (Jacob Joraanstad) Doglio of Washington, IL; 2 great-grandchildren: Dean and Taylor DaMask. He is survived by brothers, Donald and William and sisters, Jane Huffman and Dena Stumer.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Richard, Robert, John, Dorothy, and Virginia, daughter-in-law Donna Wood, and sister-in-law Mary Frances Schwartz.

Visitation: 10:30 – 11:30 am, Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Christ the King Church.

Funeral Mass: 11:30 am, Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Christ the King Church with Reverend Seth Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Catholic Charities or the Wounded Warrior Project.