Joseph Lee Wood
February 27th, 1941 - January 20th, 2025
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Joseph's Obituary
Joseph Lee Wood, 83, of Portage, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2025 at his home in Portage. He was born February 27, 1941 in Nyack, NY to Joseph and Bertie (Kanour) Wood.
Joe was a dedicated and passionate high school coach for the entirety of his career as a teacher. Of the 29 years he taught, 28 of those years were also spent coaching. He was a valuable asset during his tenure at Mattawan, Marcellus, and finally Portage Northern High School, where he coached girls’ golf, boys’ basketball and most importantly, football. He was proudly inducted into the MHSAA football Hall of Fame in 1990. Joe’s two loves in life were his wife, and golf. If he wasn’t at home, you could often find him out on the course enjoying a round.
Joe will be missed by his wife of 60 years, Diane (Vliek) Wood, whom he married on December 31, 1964; his children, Chris (Karen) Wood, and Kim (Todd) Helgeson; his grandchildren, Tyler and Kate Helgeson, and Morgan and Emily Wood; and his sister, Miriam (Robert) Warmingham.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
The family will be having a celebration of life for Joe in the spring. Interment will also take place at a later date at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Joe’s name may do so to the Portage Northern Touch Down Club via Venmo: @portagenorthern-touchdownclub.
Joe was a dedicated and passionate high school coach for the entirety of his career as a teacher. Of the 29 years he taught, 28 of those years were also spent coaching. He was a valuable asset during his tenure at Mattawan, Marcellus, and finally Portage Northern High School, where he coached girls’ golf, boys’ basketball and most importantly, football. He was proudly inducted into the MHSAA football Hall of Fame in 1990. Joe’s two loves in life were his wife, and golf. If he wasn’t at home, you could often find him out on the course enjoying a round.
Joe will be missed by his wife of 60 years, Diane (Vliek) Wood, whom he married on December 31, 1964; his children, Chris (Karen) Wood, and Kim (Todd) Helgeson; his grandchildren, Tyler and Kate Helgeson, and Morgan and Emily Wood; and his sister, Miriam (Robert) Warmingham.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
The family will be having a celebration of life for Joe in the spring. Interment will also take place at a later date at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Joe’s name may do so to the Portage Northern Touch Down Club via Venmo: @portagenorthern-touchdownclub.
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