Joseph E. Wood, age 90, of Ainsworth, Iowa, died Monday, July 16, 2012 after a decline in health.
Celebration of life services will be held at !0:30 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home with Rev. Kitch Shatzer officiating. Visitation begins at 12:00 noon Friday, July 20, 2012 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday evening. Masonic rites will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Friday. Interment with military honors will take place at the Oregon Township Cemetery in Ainsworth. A memorial has been established to Shriners Hospitals for Children or to the charity or organization of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be sent for Joseph's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Joseph E. Wood was born October 5, 1921 in Elkport, Iowa the son of Roy E. and Alma (Riegel) Wood. Joseph attended school in Elkport, before moving to Ainsworth where he graduated from high school. Joseph enlisted in the United States Navy in World War II, serving from 1945 until 1947. Joseph was united in marriage to Mabel Droll on June 8, 1946 in San Diego, California.

Joseph had been a resident of Ainsworth since his return from the Navy in 1947, where he farmed all of his life, east of town.

Joseph was a member of the KAABA Shriners and the Pedicab Taxi Shrine Unit. He was a Past Master of the Masons and a Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

He is survived by his wife, Mabel Wood of Ainsworth; daughter Julie Thoemke of San Antonio, Texas; daughter Nancy Wood of Orlando, Florida; and son Michael Wood of Ainsworth; four grandchildren: Captain Chad Michael Thoemke and wife Candy Marie of San Antonio, Texas; Brad William Thoemke and wife Eva Baca Thoemke of Denver, Colorado; Joseph Wesley Thoemke and wife Debbie of San Antonio, Texas; and Jennifer Elizabeth Thoemke of San Antonio, Texas; thirteen great-grandchildren; brother Gilbert Wood of wife Delores of Washington, Iowa; sister Betty Stewart of husband Robert of Riverside, Iowa; and brother Willard "Buster" Wood and wife Linda of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Glen and Norman Wood, and sisters Julia Polito and Bonnie Porter.