Mary Ellen Wood

JANESVILLE, WIS. - Mary Ellen Wood, age 83, passed away and is awaiting the return of our Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Cedar Crest Health Care Center in Janesville, WI. She was born October 17, 1928 in Trenton, New Jersey to Edward and Mary (Madden) Potter. Mary Ellen married James W. Wood on May 29, 1950 in Jacksonville, Ill. where they both attended college. They were married for 51 wonderful years and raised four children. She was a middle school Social Studies teacher for the Rockwood School District in Eureka, Missouri before retiring to a home on the Lake of the Ozarks, where she volunteered in the community with many wonderful friends. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, and attending the local Bible Study. Once her husband passed away she stayed in the Ozark area for a few years. She then moved to Janesville, Wis., where she lived and played at Cedar Crest, a continuing care community, where she was loved and known for her lively personality and her amazing smile. Mary Ellen is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Thompson; four children, Gail (Mark) Bretz, James (Joan) Wood, Ellen (Thomas) Plain, and Susan (Glen) Swedlund; her ten grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, and Anthony Bretz, Megan Bodman, Amanda Wood, Brian, Ann Marie, and Alison Plain, Jesse and Joshua Swedlund. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren McKenzi and Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mary Potter; her sister, Geraldine DeMar and her husband, James W. Wood. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011 beginning at 11 a.m. at All Faiths Funeral Home, 1618 E. Racine St., Janesville. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund is being established in memory of Mary Ellen. Friends may view a webcast of the funeral service by clicking on the “view video tribute” link above Mary Ellen’s obituary located at www.866allfaiths.com