Mr. David "Dave" D. Wood, Sr., 81, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the afternoon of Friday, July 25, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., surrounded by the familiar comforts of the home he built with his own hands and filled with love over a lifetime. He had been in declining health, but remained ever-stoic and strong-willed, just as he had always been.

Born on December 16, 1943, in the small town of Belknap, Illinois, Dave was one of twelve children born to the late John W. and Dorothy M. (Burns) Wood. He carried the values of his humble, rural upbringing—faith, hard work, and family loyalty—into every corner of his life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Patricia K. "Patti" (Wright) Wood, whom he married on December 29, 1958, in Mounds City, Illinois. Their love story began when Dave was just 16 and Patti only 14. They were each other's first and only sweethearts, and theirs was a marriage defined by commitment, endurance, and an unspoken understanding that comes only from decades of shared joys and trials.

Dave also mourned the passing of his siblings William Wood; Della Murphy; Patty Murphy; Dorothy Wood; and Almeda Wood—each remembered with deep affection.

He leaves behind a rich legacy in his children: David D. (Renee) Wood, Jr. of Howe, Indiana, and Kathy G. Wood of Elkhart; as well as a wide circle of siblings who meant the world to him—Roger (Peggy) Wood of Wingo, Kentucky; Jeff Wood and Beverly (Rob) Kelling, both of Tyler, Texas; Earlene (Jaime) Cashen of Middlebury; Joann (Raymond) Crowder of North Carolina; and Barbara (Floyd) Morrison of Elkhart.

Dave's pride and joy extended to his grandchildren—Amy (Jay) McConnell, Ben Wood, David Plante, Kane Stoddard, Tyler (Andrea) Plante and Casey Wood—as well as his growing family of great-grandchildren: Brady, Ella, and Taylor McConnell; Brooklyn, Cash, Uriah, and Berick Wood; Addison Stoddard; Collin Tiemann-Plante; Tyler (Andrea), Blake, Kendal, and Reagan (Brendon Mullins) Plante; Hayleigh Mullin; and Makayla Fletcher. He was also blessed to meet two great-great-grandchildren, Laytin and Alaina Plante. The Wood family tree that David helped plant continues to grow strong and wide.

Though he preferred to live quietly, Dave made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. A master carpenter and woodworker, Dave spent his professional life in the RV and manufactured housing industries that built Elkhart's economy. He possessed the rare ability to transform raw lumber into heirloom-quality furniture, cabinetry, and—most notably—handcrafted gunstocks and forearms that were prized by hunters and sportsmen alike. If you knew Dave, you knew that his craftsmanship wasn't just a job—it was an art form and a personal calling.

He was a man who listened more than he spoke, but when he did speak, his words held weight. He was as steady as the tables he built and just as dependable. He had a reverence for the old ways and stayed true to the values of his upbringing: respect, loyalty, humility, and a strong work ethic. A devout Pentecostal, he built his home not just with hammer and nails, but with faith, prayer, and love.

Dave was also a lifelong supporter of the Second Amendment, a skilled marksman, and a proud trap shooter—humble enough to avoid boasting about it, but talented enough that others gladly did the boasting for him. He found peace in nature, in the rhythm of saw and chisel, and in the laughter of his children and grandchildren.

Those who knew Dave will remember his weathered hands, not just for the work they did, but for the warmth of his handshake and the gentle way he held his grandchildren. He was good to his children, faithful to his wife, and kind to his neighbors. He believed in building things that last—homes, relationships, and reputations—and his memory will do just that.

In accordance with his lifelong desire to keep things simple and heartfelt, Dave will be laid to rest in a brief but meaningful graveside service at Oakridge Cemetery in Bristol, Indiana, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Mark Johnson of Life Church in Elkhart will officiate the service. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart has been entrusted with arrangements.

Though David Wood has laid down his tools, the things he built—his family, his legacy, and the love he shared—will stand strong for generations to come.