BOBBY DEAN WOOD

Bobby Dean Wood, 82, of Battlefield passed away on June 27, 2024 He was born on Dec. 31, 1941, in Hartville; the son of Bertha Ann (Crider) and Robert Wood, Jr.,
He graduated from Hartville High School in 1959 and on Oct. 1, 1960, he married Phyllis Ruth (Wright).
He worked at Foremost Dairy in Springfield while attending Southwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri in Columbia to complete prerequisites for mortuary school. He then moved to Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from Gupton-Jones Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1964.
He and his family then moved to Aurora to complete his embalming internship at Oscar Marsh Funeral Home. Shortly thereafter, the family moved back to Hartville where he began working at Bergman-Miller Funeral Home.
He and his wife remodeled a historical Victorian home in his hometown of Hartville, and established Wood Funeral Home in 1974. He served the Hartville and surrounding communities in their time of grief until his retirement in 1989.
In 1989, he moved his family to Springfield where they partnered with Dr. and Mrs. Glenn DeGraffenreid and their family to establish Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. After a few years of operation, he and his wife became the sole owners of the funeral home. They wanted and achieved a funeral home with Walnut Lawn that excelled in customer service with “Tender Moments – Tender Care.”
He made a profession of faith at the age of 30 and followed his Lord in Believer's baptism in front of his family and friends at First Baptist Church in Hartville. His faith was a cornerstone of his life, guiding him in his actions and relationships.
He, along with his family, owned and operated Woods Fork Restaurant in Hartville from 1985 to 1989.
Throughout his 82 years, he served in fraternal, civic, and community organizations. He held a proud membership with the Missouri Funeral Directors Association for over 50 years. He actively participated in a wide array of associations, including the Masons, Shriners, Springfield Rotary Club, Hartville Lions Club, Springfield Southeast Lions Club, Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitor’s Association, Missouri Funeral Trust (President), and the Paul Harris Fellow Benevolent Organization. His commitment extended beyond these roles; he played integral parts in visionary committees for the inaugural Hartville Fall Festival, and the Hartville Housing Authority, and was influential in re-establishing the Hartville Saddle Club where he had shown as a child. Additionally, he taught Sunday school and was a member of Battlefield First Baptist Church and also attended Sac River Cowboy Church.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Ruth (Wright) Wood; their children: Herbert Dean (Cathy) Wood of Charity; Ruth Ann (Richard) Humiston Turner of Republic; and Malinda Irene (Lendall) Beushausen of Lebanon; his five grandchildren; two great-grandsons; as well as his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Herbert Ernest Wood and and his sister, Loma Jean Lawler.
A celebration of life was held on Tuesday, July 2, at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home in  Springfield. A graveside service was held at Little Creek Cemetery in Wright County.
Arrangements were handled by Walnut Lawn Funeral Home in Springfield.