Cross Plains, In. — A Cross Plains education advocate and businessman has passed away, A. Everett Wood, 98, died Wednesday at his home.
Mr. Wood was an Army Veteran of WWII serving with Company A of the 108th Infantry Division. He established A.E. Wood Excavating in 1954 and for several years operated heavy equipment. In 1970 he purchased the Versailles Implement Company and began Wood Farm and Industrial Supply in Versailles, retiring in 2006. He was also a farmer and worked with his family on the farm well past his 96th birthday. Everett received his pilot’s license in 1964 and maintained landing strips at home as well as at his machinery dealership in Versailles. He was a strong advocate of education and served many years as Brown Township trustee as well as on the Brown Township School Board. He assisted in the building of the Cross Plains Elementary School and the South Ripley High School.
Funeral services for Mr. Wood will be held on Monday, April 8th at 11 a. m. at the Bear Creek Baptist Church in Friendship with Rev. Sherman Hughes officiating. Burial will be in the Cross Plains Methodist Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Brown Township American Legion. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4 to 7 p. m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10 a. m. until the time of services Monday at the church. The Versailles Masonic Lodge will conduct services Sunday evening at 6:45 p. m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to CEF (Good News Clubs) in care of the funeral home.
