Ellen Gross Wood

Ellen Gross Wood, 88, a resident of South Bend for the past 6 years, formerly of Indianapolis, passed away at 5:10 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at the Hospice House, South Bend. Mrs. Wood was born on November 20, 1919 in La Cygne, Kansas, the daughter of Noah and Laura (Kasiah) Gross. She graduated from Versailles Missouri High School, Central Missouri State Teacher's College in Warrensburg, MO and earned her Masters Degree in Education at Butler University, Indianapolis. She taught school for approximately 35 years in Missouri and Indiana, retiring from Warren Township in 1982.

Ellen married George M. Wood at the Sedalia Army Air Base Chapel on August 27, 1943 and he preceded in death on November 23, 2001. Three sisters and three brothers have also passed away. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Catherine and James Leslie of South Bend; two grandchildren, Jamie Catherine (Greg) Stewart of Richmond, VA and Jeffrey Michael (Gail) Leslie of Pensacola, FL; four great grandchildren, Aretis Leslie, Zayne Leslie, Cooper Stewart and Sadie Stewart; and two step great grandchildren, Jeremy and Ashley Keeney.

Mrs. Wood was a member of the Old Bethel United Methodist Church and the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International Teacher's Sorority.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at the Old Bethel United Methodist Church where friends may visit with the family after 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Contributions in memory of Ellen Gross Wood may be donated to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Shirley Brothers Mortuary, Washington Memorial Chapel, is assisting with arrangements.

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