John E.F. Wood, Jr.

John E.F. Wood Jr., age 90, of Downers Grove, formerly of Winter Springs, Florida, Towaco, New Jersey and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, went to heaven on November 21, 2025, after living a very blessed life. 

John was an avid golfer, traveler, and sports fanatic – especially hockey, college football and his beloved Green Bay Packers.  He loved to tell stories about the Packer Glory years and his friendships with several of the players.  John also treasured his extended family and friendships from various walks of life.  He particularly relished his annual beach vacations at Fripp Island and Gulf Shores with his brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and his later visits to Marco Island and Green Lake.

John was raised in Scarsdale, NY with his two younger brothers, Bob and Steve, by their parents, John E.F. and Helen Wood.  He followed in his father’s footsteps by attending Denison University and pledging Phi Gamma Delta.  He maintained those brotherly ties for many years through reunions and golf outings.  John also was proud to play on Denison’s inaugural collegiate hockey club – one of the first established in Ohio.    

Following graduation, John began a career in sales.  His ease in meeting new people, skill at remembering their names and stories, and love of socializing contributed to his early successes and an eventual move into bond trading.   An exciting promotion opportunity for his wife, Linda, in the 1980’s, led to their relocation from Milwaukee to New Jersey.  There John developed a passion for sailing and served for a time as Commodore at Lake Valhalla Club.  Their eventual retirement to Florida created many wonderful opportunities for them to host family gatherings, especially when the Northern folk needed warmth, sunshine, a Disney fix and hugs from Gramma and Grampy. 

John’s faith in God sustained him throughout his life, particularly as his wife began experiencing signs of early onset dementia.  He took great solace and strength from his daily prayer time. His favorite devotional (now out of print) had been glued and taped so many times that it barely held together.  Even so, on the last day of his life, as he was creating a shopping list, he asked if we could buy more glue to try to secure the binding yet another time.

John is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Linda of Brown Deer, WI; his three children: Kearney Kilens (Terry), John E. F. (“Jef”) Wood III (Heather), and Laura Magnuson (Alan); six loving grandchildren: Cayman, Matthew, Andrew, Haylee, Jenna and Lainey; and his caring nieces and nephew: Kathy Schill (Mark), Sarah Wood, and Rob Wood (Linda) and their families. John’s dear brother, Bob (Blue Calhoun, also in heaven 2023) with whom he had a lovely visit just weeks before his death, lives in Athens, GA. John was preceded in death by his younger brother Stephen Wood (Sue) of Whitefish Bay, WI in 2010 and his niece Elizabeth Wood of Athens, GA..  

The family wishes to extend its grateful thanks to the compassionate staff at The Birches of Clarendon Hills and Lacey Creek Supportive Living in Downers Grove who helped John make his transition back to the chilly Midwest a warm one.  He felt welcomed and included in both communities.

John’s Memorial Service will be private.

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