Neil S. Wood

Neil S. Wood, 77, of Palmyra, passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at St. Johns Hospital, Springfield, IL. Neil was born on July 4, 1941, in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Stanley and Gertrude (Boehlke) Wood. He married Lillian Neff on June 6, 1964, in Newburg, WI. Neil owned and operated Carolina Manufacturing, a metal stampings plant, in Laurinburg, NC from 1967 to 1977. Upon relocating to Rhinelander, WI, he became a realtor and served a term as President of the Northwoods Board of Realtors. He also served as President of the Rhinelander Lions Club from 1982 to 1984. A business transfer brought him to Illinois in 1987, where he resumed his original profession as a tool and die maker. Throughout his life, Neil was active in the horse world, having won numerous awards as owner/breeder/trainer on the National and State levels from both the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the American Appaloosa Horse Club, Inc. He also raced both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses, and frequently drove his own horses in USTA Amateur Driving events. During retirement, he took up trap shooting, competing in Amateur Trap Shooting (ATA) events. Neil is survived by his wife; sons, John Wood of Tinley Park, IL and Jesse Wood of Gardner, KS; grandson, Hunter Wood of Palmyra, IL; sisters, Phyllis Schroeder of Oconomowoc, WI and Elaine (husband, Jay) Kramer of Lakewood, CO; and sisters-in-law, Dolores and Virginia Neff of Rhinelander, WI. Private family ceremonies and cremation are being arranged by Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center of Springfield, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Cross Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 37839, Boone, IA, 50037-0839.