Dennis J Wood

Dennis was born April 29, 1943 in New York City Hospital in New York, New York to Milfred Joseph Carl and Florence Eleane (Wilkins) Wood. He grew up in Manhattan, NY and Sea Bright, NJ. He graduated from Long Branch High School in Long Branch, NJ. Dennis married Peggy Fox on July 29, 1989 in Chetek, WI. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Julie Wood of Ashippun, WI; six sons, Dennis (Betty) Wood Jr. of Rice Lake, WI, Robert (Sonya) Wood of Cibolo, TX, Ryan Wood of Eau Claire, WI, Darren Murphy of Peoria, Ryan (Leslie) Murphy of Mapleton and Brandon (Tabitha) Murphy of Bartonville; 12 grandchildren, Joseph (Kayla) Wood, Geneva Gray, Conner Murphy, Keagan Murphy, Kane Murphy, Kamryn Murphy, Kendyl Murphy, Alex Hill, Jack Ryan, Christian Murphy, Sheldon Douglas, and Devon Douglas; two great-grandchildren, Elaina Wood and Conner Wood; one brother Gary (Rose) Wood of Little Egg Harber, NJ and three sisters, Lee Campbell of Ocean Port, NJ, Irene Knutsen of Venice, FL and Gloria Gaudious of Orlando, FL. He also leaves his brother and sisters-in-law, Dean (Sandy) Fox of Groveland and Brenda Fox of Pekin.

He is preceded in his death by his parents; one brother, Carl Wood and one brother-in-law, Gary D. Fox.

He served in the US Army Signal Corp from 1964 to 1967 and during that time he spent one year in South Korea. He served in the Army Reserves from 1967 to 1970 and Wisconsin National Guard from 1970 to 1974.

Dennis lived most of his life in Chetek, WI where he worked and retired from Centurytel Service Group in 1999 after 30 years. He then went to work in New Auburn, WI at Citizens Telephone Coop from 1999 to 2003. He moved to Pekin, IL in 2004.

Dennis was a volunteer firefighter from 1969 to 2004 and served as the Chetek, WI fire chief from 1989 to 2004. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Fire Chief Association for 15 years. He spent much of his time working on making the fire department a trained and ready team. He loved his family and friends, the Chetek Fire Department, the City of Chetek, and fishing.

He was an active member in the Roy L. King Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1232 in Pekin and served as Junior Vice Commander. He also was a life member of the American Legion and served as Post Commander in Chetek, WI from 1975-1977 and in Tomah, WI from 1972 to 1973.

A celebration of life gathering will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the VFW in Pekin, where a family memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. A second celebration of life gathering will be held at the Chetek Fire Hall at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chetek Fire Department, 1224 Railroad Avenue, Chetek, WI 54728 or to VFW Post #1232, 15665 VFW Road, Pekin, IL 61554.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to Greg, Marilyn and Mae with UnityPoint Hospice for the excellent care offered to Dennis.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com