Wood honored for 50 years in funeral profession

     Joe R. Wood of Monticello is being honored for 50 years of dedication to funeral service by the Iowa Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) this year.

     Wood is one of 11 funeral directors from around the state to receive recognition by peers and colleagues for 50 years of service to Iowa communities.

     Wood began his career in funeral service his senior year of college when he started helping at Brant Funeral Home in Oelwein. Wood then graduated from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. From there, he went on to work for Brant-Clements Funeral Home in Fort Madison; White Funeral Home in Vinton and Independence; and Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Monticello, and Holy Cross.

     Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 140^th Annual Convention of the IFDA was cancelled. Wood will be recognized at next year’s convention, but has received his pin and celebrates 50 years this year.