Mervel Wood

Mervel E. Wood, 94

ROCKFORD – Mervel E. Wood, 94, of Rockford died Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Wesley Willows. Born June 17, 1920, in East St. Louis, IL, the third son of Leonard C. and Clara Myrtle Bredenkamp Wood. Graduated from Alden, Iowa High School in 1938, from Ellsworth Junior College in 1940 and from Iowa State College in 1943 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of the Acacia fraternity. Married Margaret (Peggy) Ritts on April 5, 1943 in Ames, Iowa. Served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1943 to 1946 at New York, NY and Oakland, CA. In 1946, Mervel and brothers Keith and Leonard founded Wood Brothers Mfg. Co. in Oregon, IL, manufacturing rotary mowers and related farm implements. Retired from Woods in 1972 and thereafter purchased Rocket Trailer Sales in Rock Falls, IL, from which he retired in 1985. After Margaret's death in 1997, married Ruth Gantzert Wright on June 18, 1998. Survivors include wife, Ruth; sons, Stephen (Barb) of Rochester, MN, Douglas (Debbie) of Benton Harbor, MI, Thomas (Catherine) of Longmont, CO and James (Lynn) of Loves Park, IL; daughter, Nancy (Greg) Wyatt of Kent, WA; 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Predeceased by parents; first wife, Peggy; son, John; and brothers, Keith and Leonard.

Services at 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2014 in Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4055 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL. Burial in Riverview Cemetery, Oregon, IL. Visitation from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL., and 10 a.m. until time of service Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund, 4141 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103. Service provided by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL. To express condolence online please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com