Robert (Bobby) Wood
Robert (Bobby) Wood, 65, of Versailles passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020 at the Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. He was born at the Whitlatch Clinic in Milan on March 17, 1955 the son of A. Everett and Myrle Hankins Wood. He was married to Dotty Lovins on October 5, 1972 and his wife of 47 years survives.
Other survivors include two daughters Bridget (Rob) Back of Versailles and Kelly (Dave) Gutzwiller of Batesville; one son Daren (Lisa May) Wood of Canaan; one brother Ralph (Faith Ann) Wood of Versailles; one sister Carol Berry of Versailles; grandchildren Ethan & Katie Back, Sally and Joe Mortenson, Andy and Zach Gutzwiller, and Robbie and Ashley Wood; great-grandchildren Anna and Seth Back. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Wood was a 1973 graduate of South Ripley High School. Bobby was an active member of the Bear Creek Baptist Church in Friendship. At the age of 13, he professed his faith in Christ and spent his entire life serving. In the church he served as a Deacon, Treasurer, Sunday School teacher, Secretary, Trustee, Song leader, VBS volunteer, and he faithfully sang in the church choir. Bobby’s life of serving went beyond the walls of the church; he also served throughout his community.
His most recent way to serve the community was as co-owner of the Versailles IGA with his son Daren. He was pleased to play Christian music in the store and used every opportunity given to share the love of Christ, the IGA store was his mission field. He took very seriously the ministry God gave him at the store. Bobby even stated the reason he started the IGA business was to be able to support the ministry of the After School Good News Clubs, a ministry through Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). His passion was to see people come to Christ. Bobby used his business skills to successfully start several other businesses including Bob’s Dog Supply, R. L. Wood Excavating, and Dotty’s Bulk Food Store. He also spent time in sales and management at Wood Farm & Industrial Supply in Versailles.
He deeply loved his wife Dotty and his family, and spending time with them was very important to him. Anyone who knew him was his friend and would quickly become like family.
Funeral services for Bobby will be held on Tuesday, June 23 at 11 a.m. at the Bear Creek Baptist Church in Friendship with Rev. Sherman Hughes officiating. Burial will be in the Akers Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10 a.m. until time of services Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be given to CEF, Bear Creek Baptist Church, Friendship Fire Department or Southeastern Baptist Youth Camp in care of the funeral home.
