Earl Gibson Wood Sr.

Earl Gibson "Big E" Wood, Sr., 86, of Kuhn Road, Greencastle, PA passed away Monday, April 1, 2013 in his home. Born April 26, 1926 in Rileyville, VA, he was the son of the late Earl Gibson and Odessa (Youngblood) Wood. He spent most of his life in the Greencastle and Welsh Run, PA areas. He served in the United States Army as a staff sergeant in Central Europe in World War II, and in the Battle of the Bulge. He was married for 59 years to Joanne D. (Stevens) Wood. They were married June 27, 1953 in Greencastle. He was the first employee hired at Grove Manufacturing. In those 42 years, he worked his way from saw operator to Director of Manufacturing. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, going out west and his "Brush Shanty Hunting Club" in Bradford, PA. He enjoyed his NASCAR trips to Charlotte, NC, Atlanta, GA, Daytona FL and Phoenix AZ with his long time friend, Frank Plessinger and friends. He and Mr. Plessinger helped build dear friend and NASCAR driver Bobby Allison's race shop in Charlotte, NC. He was a life member of Greencastle American Legion and VFW, a member of Mercersburg Moose Lodge, Am Vets of Chambersburg and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Bradford, PA. In addition to his wife he is survived by his four children: Dianne Kaye Wood-Poper, and her husband, Van Dale Poper , David Wilson Wood of Greencastle, Debbie Mae White and her husband, Robert M. White and Earl Gibson Wood Jr., All of Greencastle; five grandchildren: Matthew Wood, Hagerstown, MD, Tre Wood, Greencastle, Taylor Wood, Greencastle, Michelle Barnhart, Greencastle and Jeannie Smith, Hagerstown; three great grandchildren: Ashton Barnhart, Greencastle, Riley Smith, Hagerstown and Adele Wood, Hagerstown; two step-grandchildren: Keith Poper and Scott Poper, both of Greencastle; one step-great grandson, Brandon Poper, Greencastle; two sisters: Mary Elizabeth Woodring, Waynesboro and Odessa Marie Hummel, Berwick, PA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jessie James Wood. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 11, 2013 in Miller-Bowersox Funeral Home, Greencastle, with Rev. Dr. Stephen Reed officiating. The service will be followed by military honors provided by Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post #1599 in the funeral home parking lot. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Home Care and Hospice, 2700 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com