Obituary of John Wood

John Wood, 54, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly, due to natural causes on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Corewell Health Hospital in Niles, Michigan.

He was born on October 28, 1968, in South Bend, Indiana to Charles and Emma Lou (Warrick) Wood.

As luck would have it, one of his best friends, Brian Hamilton had an older sister Gina.  They would fall in love and begin what Gina describes as an adventure, and on October 23, 1993, they exchanged vows in Mishawaka, Indiana.

After John graduated from Southwest Michigan College John and Gina opened and operated Four Flags Electronics for over ten years. He then went on to work for Diebold Company and Communication Company through the IBEW Local #153. 

For those who had the opportunity to spend any time around him, it was easy to see that his family was his passion.  Some of his favorite times were spent with his family camping “Up North”.  For the last several years he especially enjoyed making memories at the Barothy Lodge in Walhalla, Michigan. 

John enjoyed the outdoors; he loved to dig his fingers into the soil, always creating something beautiful. He also looked forward to mushroom season for morel hunting, and throwing on a pair of waders with his son and pride and joy, Tanier, to catch the salmon; somehow, whether it was during the salmon fishing trips or when they were in the boat, John always landed the biggest fish and had stories to tell about the even bigger ones that got away.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Emma Lou Wood; his mother-in-law, Eilene Hamilton-Rogers; his father-in-law, Larry Hamilton; step-father-in-law, David Rogers and his brother-in-law, Brian Hamilton.

John will be greatly missed by his wife, Gina Hamilton-Wood; his son, Tanier Wood and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Lana Gadde.  He will also be missed by his sisters, Elizabeth (Chuck) Dietz and Marguerite Dameron; his sisters-in-law, Tammy (Robert) Oakley, Beth Herrman, and April (Justin) Fedore.  John also had a special relationship with his nieces and nephews, Kirsten Christy, Shannon Guyoff, David Stahl, Aidan Christy, Jaxson Christy, Dale Oakley, and Alicia Gilford.  He leaves a very special little guy, Emmett Chubb who was like a grandson to him, and several lifelong childhood friends.

Those wishing to make a donation in honor of John have been asked to consider the Rheumatoid Research Foundation, 2200 Lake Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30319, and in keeping with John’s love of animals, Pet Refuge, Inc. at 4626 S. Burnett Drive, South Bend, Indiana 46614.

A time of visitation for John will take place Friday, April 14, 2023, from 12:00 -1:00 p.m. at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, 61453 M-51 Niles, Michigan with his memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The self-proclaimed Grill Master will always be remembered as the life of the party.  His quick wit and ability to laugh easily made John a crowd favorite.  His family was blessed to be the center of his life and the objects of devotion.

Memories of John can be left for his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Services have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.