Paul Wood

Paul Edward Wood, 84, of Ottawa Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Otterbein Sunset Village in Sylvania, Ohio from complications following a fall in January.

Paul was born February 4, 1941 in Alton, Illinois to the late Roy and Blanche Wood.  He was the youngest of fifteen children and was raised by his older brothers and sisters from the age of six, following his mother’s passing. Throughout his life, Paul often spoke of the appreciation he felt for all the sacrifices his siblings made to keep their family together and to provide a good life for them.

Following graduation from Alton High, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he proudly served four years on the USS Hermitage (LSD-34) and the USS Liddle (APD-60) as a Machinist Mate.  While in the Navy, Paul traveled to Toledo, Ohio with Shipmate Dan Kozak, where he met his future wife, Linda (Zillien) DeShetler. They were married October 10, 1964 and Paul became a father to her two sons, Ralph and Mike DeShetler. Together they built a home in Ottawa Lake, Michigan where they were members of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church.

Paul was a proud Union Carpenter until his retirement in 2002. He was a hardworking man, always busy building something in his wood shop. When he wasn’t working in the wood shop, he was building trailers, wagons or dune buggies.

In 1978, with the help of friends, Paul built a cabin in Mears, Michigan where family and friends came to enjoy the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. Paul loved his “Big Wooden Tent” and enjoyed the friendship and fun that was had by many.

Paul is survived by his son Ralph DeShetler, wife Sue, and grandchildren Jay and Lori DeShetler, Mindy and Chris Ovall, Shelby DeShetler and Eric Eischen and seven great grandchildren; son Mike DeShetler, wife LuAnne, and grandchildren Cassandra Newsom, Christian and Kristin DeShetler, Greg and Laura Abernathy, Amanda and Jason Sager, Michael Abernathy and Chelsea Bateson and nine great grandchildren.  In addition, he is survived by a sister-in-law Marty Danyi, a brother-in-law George Zillien and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, grandsons Kevin and Allan DeShetler, eight sisters and six brothers.

Paul was everything you could ask for, and more, as a husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, friend, family and neighbor. He will be fondly remembered and missed by so many.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to each member of the team at Otterbein Sunset Village-Sylvania who provided exceptional, compassionate care for Paul during this last chapter of his life.

Visitation will be at Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 Main St., Sylvania, OH on Friday, February 28, 2025 from 3pm until 8pm and Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 10am until the funeral service starts at 11am. 

Casual attire encouraged.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul Wood, please visit our floral store.