Dustin J. Wood

Growing up in a time where technology was rapidly changing and children and teens were introduced to home video gaming, Dustin Wood still loved spending his childhood being outdoors and working on the family farm. He was hard working, loving, patient and he was a great prankster! Being a handy man and a “MacGyver”, Dustin could fix anything. His family and friends meant the most to him and none of them were ever surprised if he was running late. Dustin was outgoing and could start a conversation with anyone, no matter where he was at.

Dustin J. Wood was born January 6, 1979 in Fort Wayne at St. Joseph Hospital. He was the 3rd born child of Guy and Sharon (Engle) Wood and was raised in rural Whitley County south of Columbia City. He enjoyed being outdoors riding four wheelers, fishing, hunting, participated for 10 years of the Whitley County 4-H and loved the thrill being in the demolition derby. As he attended Columbia City High School, Dustin competed in football and wrestling and graduated with the Class of 1997.

For over 20 years, he built pole barns for Gruettert Buildings in Columbia City. After his father passed away in 1998, Dustin and his brother, Aaron continued to operate the family farm. On September 20, 2008 he married Tana Perkins and was proud to be a dad to three boys. He passed his love of 4-H to them and helped them raise goats. Dustin enjoyed traveling and he and Tana were looking forward to a trip to Jamaica in February.

On Friday, January 15, 2021, Dustin Wood passed away unexpectedly at work building a pole barn in Arcola at the young age of 42. He is survived by his loving wife, Tana Wood; sons, Quinton Perkins, Hunter Wood and Owen Wood; mother and stepfather, Sharon and Jeff Heaton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jodi and Barry Chambers and Wendy and Marty Grooms; brother and sister-in-law, Aaron and Rachel Wood; mother-in-law, Tina Perkins; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mike and Lisa Perkins and Jenifer Perkins and Jason Oliver; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Guy Wood in December of 1998 and Robert "Bob" Perkins in December of 2018.

Visitation will be 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Face masks are required for attendance. With a love of his crock shoes, please feel free to rock your crocks in Dustin's honor. Due to the current Covid Restrictions, there will be a private service for the immediate family but it may be watched live on Facebook through DeMoney Grimes Live at 10 a.m. Wednesday with Pastor Rev. Barry Faucett officiating. Burial will take place at South Park (Annex) Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given in memory to Neurofibromatosis Midwest, Whitley County 4-H or towards the children's education. Visit www.DeMoneyGrimes.com to send Dustin's family online condolences or sign the online guest book.