Nelson Dean Wood

Nelson Dean Wood, 93, formerly of Genoa, Ohio, died Thursday, may 19, 2011, at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dean was born July 14, 1917, in Genoa, Ohio, to Nelson and Eva (Snyder) Wood. On February 21, 1942, in Toledo, Ohio, he married and is survived by his high school sweetheart, Phyllis M. Samsen. They recently celebrated their sixty-ninth wedding anniversary.

He deeply loved his family, his community, and his country and was admired for his gentle nature.

For many years Dean owned and operated the Genoa Printing Company and published the Genoa Gazette. He was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Genoa and a former member of the Genoa American Legion Post #324. Dean served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and was a prisoner of war in Barth, Germany for thirteen months.

Dean was a gifted athlete.

He excelled in basketball, football, track, tennis and his beloved golf, and was recently inducted into the Genoa Athletic Hall of Fame. He was salutatorian of his high school class and was respected for his intellectual capabilities.

In addition to his wife, Phyllis, Dean is survived by his son, Bob Wood and his wife Aileen, of Raleigh; daughter, Carol Sehnert and her husband Steve, of Denver; and daughter, Ann Antoun and her husband Afif, of Raleigh; six grandchildren: Matthew Wood, Katie Calvillo, Jeff Sehnert, Laura Sehnert, Amy Antoun and Emily Antoun; and seven great-grandchildren: Ella, Summit, Maggie, Colby, Emersyn, Kelley, and Dean.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Eva and Nelson, brother Herb and sisters Betty and Kathryn.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 PM Sunday, May 22, 2011 at Trinity United Methodist Church (313 Main Street – Genoa, Ohio 43430), with interment to follow in Clay Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions for Dean to the church.

Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory of Genoa has assisted the family with arrangements in Ohio. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.WalkerFuneralHomes.com