Donald Ray "Bubblegum" Wood, 72, of Franklin died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. He was born September 6, 1937, near Waverly, the son of Lowell Allen and Edith Louise Goacher Wood. He married Nancy Jo Edwards on July 11, 1956, in Chicago, and she survives.
Mr. Wood is also survived by two sons, John (wife, Susan) Wood and Joseph (wife, Lottie) Wood, both of Franklin; one daughter, Ginger (husband, David) Dahms of Muscatine, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Kristopher Wood of Auburn, Jason Dragoo of Franklin, Sarah Dragoo of Bement, Christopher Cox of Monmouth, Elizabeth, Cheryl, Ryan and Carolyn Wood of Franklin, and Michelle and Anne Dahms of Muscatine, Iowa; and seven great-grandchildren. Two grandchildren, Alan David Wood and Patti Jo Wood, preceded him in death.
Mr. Wood was a graduate of Franklin High School and served in the United States Army from 1957-58. He farmed in the Franklin community for many years and served as road commissioner for 26 years. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and was a Methodist lay speaker. Mr. Wood had a special interest in the young people in the Franklin community. He served as a Boy Scout leader, organized the Franklin Teen Center and was a charter member of the Franklin-Waverly Military Support Group. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends.
Bubblegum always had a hug for friends and strangers alike.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at Franklin United Methodist Church in Franklin, with burial at Franklin Cemetery. Friends may call after 12 noon on Tuesday at the church, where family will meet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Asbury United Methodist Church, Lynnville United Methodist Church, HELPS Ministry or the Waverly Rescue Squad. The Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.